After the release of the documentary series Angry Young Men, which explores the work and lives of the legendary screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, actor Salman Khan has shown interest in remaking the iconic 1975 film Sholay. The original movie, penned by Salim-Javed and directed by Ramesh Sippy, featured a stellar cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini. ALSO READ: Angry Young Men REVIEW: Another Salim-Javed BLOCKBUSTER To Witness
In a conversation with filmmaker Farah Khan, Salman Khan expressed his desire to remake Sholay. When Farah asked which of Salim-Javed's films he would like to remake, Salman quickly responded with Sholay and Deewar. When Farah inquired whether Salman would prefer to play the character of Jai (originally played by Amitabh Bachchan) or Veeru (played by Dharmendra), the speakers at the roundtable, including Zoya Akhtar and Namrata Rao, unanimously suggested that he would be more suited for Veeru. However, Salman playfully remarked that he could take on both roles, saying, "I can play Jai, Veeru, and even Gabbar." ALSO READ: WATCH Salim-Javed’s Cinematic Classics On OTT Before The Premiere Of Angry Young Men
Salim Khan then revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes detail about the casting of Sholay. He mentioned that all the male stars of the film had approached director Ramesh Sippy, expressing their desire to play the iconic villain Gabbar Singh, a role that eventually went to Amjad Khan after initially being cast with Danny Denzongpa. Javed Akhtar added that both Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan were eager to take on the role of Gabbar, with Amitabh even personally requesting the part. However, Dharmendra was content with his role as Veeru.
Sholay, which hit theaters on August 15, 1975, has since become one of the most celebrated and influential films in Indian cinema, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers and actors, including Salman Khan, who now dreams of bringing it to a new generation of audiences.
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