Mumbai, Nov 27 (NationPress) – Renowned filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, celebrated for creating one of Bollywood’s greatest classics, Sholay, shared fascinating insights about the film during a session at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on November 27.

The discussion, titled ‘50 Years of Sholay: Why Sholay Still Resonates,’ featured Sippy revealing how the legendary actor Amjad Khan came to embody the formidable character of Gabbar. He recounted, “Amjad Khan was a discovery in himself. I had previously seen him in a play with my sister focusing on South Africa, and I recalled he was a talented performer, but he had slipped my mind.”

He continued, “When Salim–Javed recommended we consider him, it felt right. He auditioned for the role, but this only became possible after Danny Denzongpa, who was initially cast as Gabbar, was shooting in Afghanistan with Mr. Feroz Khan and could not return. We didn’t have to adjust anything regarding language or accent for Gabbar, as Amjad’s UP-style accent suited the character perfectly.”

Sippy concluded, “Danny’s absence paved the way for Amjad Khan to become Gabbar, and the rest is history.” He also elaborated on how the film's rugged mountains and desolate terrain, which became synonymous with Gabbar's domain, later represented the essence of dacoit narratives. Sippy provided details on how this legendary setting was first discovered. “We selected that unique location because all previous dacoit films were shot in the North, particularly in Rajasthan and the Chambal Valley. I believed it was time to explore a fresh perspective.”

He explained, “Traveling southward, I stumbled upon a rocky region about 50 kilometers from Bangalore en route to Mysore. I stood there, and it felt like the perfect spot. I can't explain it; it just clicked. We faced numerous challenges, but filming in that location gave the movie an entirely new aesthetic. No constructed set could replicate that.” Sippy remarked, “People frequently claim this was the first dacoit film not set in the conventional Chambal area.

“For the first time, the backdrop was genuinely in the South, suggested by our art director, M.R. Achrekar. I instantly fell in love with the place. Audiences saw dacoits in a landscape radically different from what had always been portrayed, granting the film a fresh visual identity. Filming in and around Bangalore added a unique tone to the movie,” he added.

As for Sholay, the film featured stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini in prominent roles. Released in 1975, it is revered as one of the most iconic films in cinematic history.

This cult classic not only gifted audiences memorable songs but also iconic characters such as Jay, Veeru, Basanti, Thakur, and Gabbar, who continue to be celebrated as some of Bollywood’s finest onscreen personas even after 50 years since its release.