A 50-year anniversary retrospective: Film director Ramesh Sippy labels Amjad Khan, known for his role as Gabbar Singh in Sholay, as a 'rat' in a surprising revelation, stating, "Even such huge personalities..."
Fifty years ago, the Indian cinema classic Sholay made its mark, and one of its most iconic characters, Daku Gabbar Singh, was brought to life by a relatively unknown actor named Amjad Khan. The role was initially intended for Danny Dengzongpa, but due to scheduling conflicts, Khan had to step aside, paving the way for Amjad Khan's breakthrough performance.
In an interview with News18, the film's writer, Javed Akhtar, revealed that both Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjeev Kumar expressed interest in playing the role of Gabbar Singh. However, it was Ramesh Sippy, the director of Sholay, who decided to cast Amjad Khan, a newcomer at the time. Sippy compared the casting to a mouse standing in front of many big stars, a decision that initially met with skepticism and doubt.
Despite these reservations, Amjad Khan threw himself into his role, studying dacoit culture, adopting distinctive voice tones, and perfecting his diction with the help of writers Salim-Javed. His dedication paid off, as he delivered a performance that not only silenced his critics but also made him a legendary villain in Indian cinema.
Ramesh Sippy, in an interview with IANS, recalled the controversy surrounding the casting of Amjad Khan. He added that those who doubted the decision got a slap on their face, as Amjad Khan went on to become a big star. The casting of Amjad Khan as Daku Gabbar Singh in Sholay is considered a significant part of his Bollywood debut, and his performance is still remembered as one of the most iconic in Indian cinema.
Sholay, a Dharmendra-starrer directed by Ramesh Sippy, marked the debut of Amjad Khan, who took over the role of Daku Gabbar Singh after Danny Dengzongpa's dates clashed with the filming of Feroz Khan's Dharmatma. This unconventional casting decision ultimately led to one of the most memorable performances in Indian cinema, solidifying Amjad Khan's place in Bollywood history.
[1] https://www.news18.com/news/entertainment/javed-akhtar-reveals-the-untold-story-behind-amjad-khans-iconic-gabbar-singh-character-in-sholay-2674959.html [2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/amjad-khans-gabbar-singh-in-sholay-is-still-a-legend-and-heres-how-he-did-it/story-lfKlXKxKMh0kXG0518cU2O.html [3] https://www.india.com/lifestyle/bollywood/amjad-khans-gabbar-singh-in-sholay-was-originally-supposed-to-be-played-by-danny-dengzongpa-4579670/ [4] https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sholay-amjad-khans-gabbar-singh-was-originally-supposed-to-be-played-by-danny-dengzongpa-8790821.html [5] https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/movies/amjad-khans-gabbar-singh-in-sholay-was-originally-supposed-to-be-played-by-danny-dengzongpa-875612.html
In an unexpected turn of events, Amjad Khan, a newcomer at the time, was cast as Daku Gabbar Singh in the legendary Indian film Sholay, despite initial reservations about his unconventional casting. This decision, which was compared to a mouse standing among big stars, ultimately led to one of the most iconic performances in Indian cinema and established Amjad Khan as a legendary villain in Bollywood, making him a significant and enduring figure in movies-and-tv entertainment from India.
