Mumbai, Nov 28 (NationPress) Renowned filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, the visionary behind the legendary 'Sholay', revealed the essence of the iconic characters Jay and Veeru, their profound friendship, and the reasons why the film achieved the status of a cult classic.

During the festival, Sippy remarked, "The ideal way to initiate this discussion is with the classic song, 'Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge, todenge dum agar, tera saath na chhodenge.' This beautiful piece was penned by Anand Bakshi and brought to life by R.D. Burman."

He emphasized, "As I've always maintained, every individual in the crew – from technicians to musicians – plays a crucial role in a film of this magnitude, or any film for that matter. As the captain of this ship, I can confidently say that no film is created without collaborative effort."

Sippy continued, "Yet, a strong captain is essential, alongside key individuals such as writers, technicians, cameramen, and the music team, with R.D. Burman delivering an exceptional background score!"

The director noted, "From the very first frame, the impact of the setting envelops you, signifying the cinematic journey ahead. Uniquely for India, we brought in a fight team from the UK, adding an entirely new scale and execution to the film!"

For those unfamiliar, the session featuring Ramesh Sippy at IFFI was titled '50 Years of Sholay: Why Sholay Still Resonates'.

In the same session, he also shared insights on how the late actor Amjad Khan was cast as the unforgettable Gabbar.

"Amjad Khan was a true find. I had previously seen him in a play with my sister about South Africa, and I recalled his talent, but he had escaped my mind until then."

He added, "When Salim–Javed recommended him, it just clicked. He auditioned for the role after Danny Denzongpa, who was originally set to play Gabbar, was away filming in Afghanistan. Thankfully, we didn’t need to adjust anything regarding language or accent, especially for Gabbar. Amjad’s distinct UP-style accent fit perfectly!"

Sippy concluded, "Danny's unavailability paved the way for Amjad Khan as Gabbar, and that became a pivotal moment in cinema history."

Reflecting on the cult classic 'Sholay', the film featured an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini.

Released in 1975, Sholay is hailed as one of the most iconic films ever, surprisingly categorized as a flop upon its initial release.

This cult classic not only gifted audiences unforgettable songs but also remarkable characters like Jay, Veeru, Basanti, Thakur, and Gabbar, who, even five decades later, remain among Bollywood's finest on-screen personas.