Bollywood legend Dharmendra, affectionately known as the original “He-Man” of Indian cinema, passed away on November 11 at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. The veteran actor, aged 89, had been admitted following severe breathing difficulties. His demise marks the end of an era, but his cinematic legacy continues to shine through his countless blockbusters—Phool Aur Patthar, Jeevan Mrityu, Loafer, Chupke Chupke, and of course, the timeless Sholay (1975).
Among all his memorable performances, his portrayal of Veeru—the mischievous yet endearing outlaw in Sholay—remains deeply etched in the hearts of fans. Interestingly, Dharmendra almost didn’t play this iconic role that would go on to define his stardom.
When Dharmendra Almost Played Thakur and Gabbar
In a candid chat with IANS, Dharmendra once revealed that he was initially approached to play Thakur Baldev Singh, the retired police officer, in Sholay. The film’s team even considered him for the role of the menacing dacoit, Gabbar Singh. However, Dharmendra followed his instincts and expressed a strong desire to play Veeru instead. That one decision altered the course of cinematic history, giving India one of its most beloved screen characters. His effortless charm, quick wit, and camaraderie with Amitabh Bachchan’s Jai made Veeru an enduring symbol of friendship and youthful spirit in Hindi cinema.
How Amitabh Bachchan Became Jai—Thanks to Dharmendra
The story behind Amitabh Bachchan landing the role of Jai is just as fascinating. In a conversation with ANI, Dharmendra shared that he personally recommended the young and struggling Bachchan to director Ramesh Sippy. Bachchan, who often visited Dharmendra’s film sets, impressed the senior star with his deep voice, quiet confidence, and raw intensity. Sensing untapped potential, Dharmendra persuaded Sippy to cast him—and the result was magic on screen. The duo’s camaraderie, especially in the iconic “Yeh Dosti” scenes, became legendary.
What many fans may not know is that Amitabh Bachchan wasn’t the first choice for the part. Shatrughan Sinha, in a 2023 interview with Aaj Tak, confirmed that he had initially been approached for both Sholay and Deewaar. Due to scheduling conflicts and creative disagreements, Sinha had to decline. He even admitted to holding the Deewaar script for six months before stepping away—decisions that paved the way for Bachchan’s meteoric rise.
The Film That Redefined Indian Cinema
Directed by Ramesh Sippy and produced by G.P. Sippy, Sholay was written by the legendary duo Salim–Javed. The ensemble cast included Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan. With a memorable soundtrack by R.D. Burman, the film combined action, comedy, romance, and tragedy with unprecedented finesse. Though critics were unimpressed upon release, strong word-of-mouth transformed Sholay into a historic blockbuster. It ran for over five years at Mumbai’s Minerva Theatre, shattered box-office records, and gained immense popularity in the Soviet Union. Adjusted for inflation, Sholay remains one of India’s highest-grossing films and an eternal part of its cinematic soul.
Among all his memorable performances, his portrayal of Veeru—the mischievous yet endearing outlaw in Sholay—remains deeply etched in the hearts of fans. Interestingly, Dharmendra almost didn’t play this iconic role that would go on to define his stardom.
When Dharmendra Almost Played Thakur and Gabbar
In a candid chat with IANS, Dharmendra once revealed that he was initially approached to play Thakur Baldev Singh, the retired police officer, in Sholay. The film’s team even considered him for the role of the menacing dacoit, Gabbar Singh. However, Dharmendra followed his instincts and expressed a strong desire to play Veeru instead. That one decision altered the course of cinematic history, giving India one of its most beloved screen characters. His effortless charm, quick wit, and camaraderie with Amitabh Bachchan’s Jai made Veeru an enduring symbol of friendship and youthful spirit in Hindi cinema.
How Amitabh Bachchan Became Jai—Thanks to Dharmendra
The story behind Amitabh Bachchan landing the role of Jai is just as fascinating. In a conversation with ANI, Dharmendra shared that he personally recommended the young and struggling Bachchan to director Ramesh Sippy. Bachchan, who often visited Dharmendra’s film sets, impressed the senior star with his deep voice, quiet confidence, and raw intensity. Sensing untapped potential, Dharmendra persuaded Sippy to cast him—and the result was magic on screen. The duo’s camaraderie, especially in the iconic “Yeh Dosti” scenes, became legendary.
What many fans may not know is that Amitabh Bachchan wasn’t the first choice for the part. Shatrughan Sinha, in a 2023 interview with Aaj Tak, confirmed that he had initially been approached for both Sholay and Deewaar. Due to scheduling conflicts and creative disagreements, Sinha had to decline. He even admitted to holding the Deewaar script for six months before stepping away—decisions that paved the way for Bachchan’s meteoric rise.
The Film That Redefined Indian Cinema
Directed by Ramesh Sippy and produced by G.P. Sippy, Sholay was written by the legendary duo Salim–Javed. The ensemble cast included Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan. With a memorable soundtrack by R.D. Burman, the film combined action, comedy, romance, and tragedy with unprecedented finesse. Though critics were unimpressed upon release, strong word-of-mouth transformed Sholay into a historic blockbuster. It ran for over five years at Mumbai’s Minerva Theatre, shattered box-office records, and gained immense popularity in the Soviet Union. Adjusted for inflation, Sholay remains one of India’s highest-grossing films and an eternal part of its cinematic soul.
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