Dharmendra: I was offered the role of Gabbar and Thakur...But I wanted to play Veeru as he is so much like me
says Sholay could easily be considered ' duniya ka aathwan ajooba .' And for the fans of the 1975 cult classic, it's hard to disagree. The film marks its 50th anniversary this year as its restored version premieres in Italy.
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In a recent chat, the veteran actor spoke to us about his favourite memories of Sholay.
'MY FAVOURITE SCENE FROM SHOLAY IS THE DEATH OF
AMITABH BACHCHAN
'S CHARACTER'
' Aur jaan daal di FHF (Film Heritage Foundation) ne ,' says Dharmendra about the film's restoration. Talking about his favourite scenes from the film, the actor shares, ' Tanki wala scene, temple wala scene log kaafi pasand karte hain . Aur bhi aise kai scene hain jo kaafi pasand hain mujhe .'
But the moment that lingers most for him is the emotional turning point of the film.
'My favourite scene from Sholay is the death of Amitabh Bachchan's (character). Woh jahan marte hain, wahan zindagi puri picture mein palta kha jati hai . That was the best scene. Do doston ke jo emotion thay woh aate hain ,' he says.
'MAIN CHARACTER MEIN CHALA JAATA HOON'
When asked how he prepares for a scene like that? Dharmendra scoffs at the idea of preparation. 'To me, nothing is difficult. Main koi practice nahi karta . Main Dharmendra nahi lagta wahan – main Veeru hi lagta hoon .
Pratiggya (1975) mein bhi wohi lagta hoon . Om Prakash ke saath jab Hindi boli thi (as Pyarelal in Chupke Chupke ) toh wohi lagta hoon , Dharmendra nahi lagta . Baaki maine dekha kai actor wohi lagte hain jo woh hain .
Main character mein chala jaata hoon . Mujhe toh second lagta hai .'
'The real hero is the coin in Sholay'Whenever Jai and Veeru have to make a decision in Sholay , they flip a coin and it always seems to fall in Jai's favour. It's only in the climax that Veeru realises Jai used a trick coin with heads on both sides. Referring to the coin, Dharmendra says, 'Every character is a hero in the film. But the real hero is the coin.'
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