SHOLAYISM

Sachin Pilgaonkar as AHMED

2011-11-29T16:17:00.000+05:30

Barely 18 when he did Sholay, Sachin Pilgaonkar had already done ample roles as a child artist. He debuted at the incredible age of five in the Marathi movie Ha Maaza Marg Eekla (This is only my path) in 1962. In the classic 1967 Vijay Anand thriller Jewel Thief we can presume that Sachin is the child kidnapped in the opening minutes, a plot that forms the crux of the story. He is seen with Dev Anand and Vyjayanthimala in later parts of the film. The 1968 film that won Shammi Kapoor his only Filmfare Best Actor Award - Brahmachari, had Sachin among the adopted children, apart from another child artist Junior Mehmood.

In the same year as Sholay released, Sachin played the lead in the surprise Rajashri Productions' hit Geet Gaata Chal. After a brief period of success in Hindi, his last major solo lead hit was the 1982 Bhojpuri hit Nadiya Ke Paar. As roles became few and far between, Sachin drifted to Marathi films. In the 90's he directed his talented wife Supriya as one of the protagonists on the popular comedy TV series Tu Tu Main Main.

As Ahmed, Sachin plays son to a blind father. The father, played with great pathos by A.K.Hangal, coaxes him to join his uncle's business in the city. Ahmed is adamant on his refusal, he wants to stay and care for his father.Later in the film, Ahmed's character acts as a catalyst for the film's epic gun-booming climax. Like you didn't know all that, fellow Sholay-ites, but then there is always somebody who hasn't seen the film. For that rare specimen, the explanation.

An undated recent photo of Sachin

Nasreen Munni Kabir’s 1989 documentary on Amitabh Bachchan...

2011-11-04T15:42:00.001+05:30

Here are the youtube links to the 1989 documentary on Amitabh Bachchan...

FOLLOW THAT STAR: PART 1

FOLLOW THAT STAR: PART 2

FOLLOW THAT STAR: PART 3

FOLLOW THAT STAR: PART 4

Enjoy!

Coming in 2012: SHOLAY 3D

2011-11-04T14:07:00.003+05:30

There is no release date yet. "Early next year" is the latest release word bandied about.

It is confirmed folks. An epic movie is been given the epic 3D treatment. Sholay, almost four hours long, is one the biggest films to be converted to this format. Producer-Director Ketan Mehta owned Maya Digital Studios is doing the honours. No easy task, considering the movie needed colour correction. Also, elements from each of the over 5000 shots were enhanced visually. A computer-generated shot that fans will notice - The oil barrels exploding in the train robbery sequence shall spark red instead of black. This is to go with the film's title, implying embers.

Jai-Veeru Time Machine

2011-08-04T12:36:00.007+05:30

Inspector Saab, aapko kahi dekha hai, aap Facebook pe toh nahi hai?

Jai aur Thakur

2011-08-04T12:08:00.007+05:30

Jai, raat ke do baje hai, abhi bas bhi karo, Gabbar jaag jayega!

Coming Soon: Ramgarh Resort & Spa!

2010-11-09T16:40:00.004+05:30

Naach, Basanti, Naach!

Scheduled to open on August 2011,the Ramgarh Resort & Spa will bring Sholay back to life again at Ramnagaram, the now famous location where most of the film was shot. At least that is what a newspaper report by Saritha Rai in The Indian Express says.

Set to be the first resort to be based on a Hindi movie, the Resort & Spa will cover over 6.6 acres of rocky terrain. As Rai informs us - A hostess dressed as Basanti could lead guests in the restaurants Gabbar ka Adda or Thakur ki Haveli. A masseur dressed as Gabbar Singh could give a visitor a soothing massage at the spa, which stands at the spot where a thrilling horse chase was filmed for the movie.

Last heard, the resort owners were searching for a Thakur Baldev Singh look-alike, for the post of the resort manager. Guests would be able to indulge in rappelling, horse-riding and games centred around the movie.
One hurdle could be the copyright issues, as the Sippy's have always been against the misuse of their brand.

Samba is no more...

2010-05-11T10:43:00.004+05:30

Mac Mohan, who played the 'perched high on the rock, I will answer Gabbar's questions' dacoit - the much-celebrated Samba died of cancer on May 10, 2010 at Kokilaben Dhirubhani Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. He was 71. Born Mohan Makhijaney, he acted in over 175 films, in a career spanning 46 years. But the one role that he will always be remembered for:
Gabbar: Are O Samba kitne inaam rake hai sarkar hum par?

Samba: Poore pachas hazaar!

Gabbar: Suna! Poore pachaas hazaar!

May another Sholayite rest in peace....

Die-hard Sholay fan stumbles upon 'ORIGINAL SHOLAY'!!

2009-08-19T16:50:00.008+05:30

He has seen it. He has got it on DVD. He is the 'chosen one'.

How many of us have heard of the original version of Sholay where Thakur kills Gabbar?

Everybody.

How many of us have seen it?

Nobody...until my friend Veersen Savant alias Spiral Smoke, presently working in Dubai as a sub-editor bought a DVD of this original version. A native of Kolhapur, this die-hard Sholay fan was astounded to say the least.

Here is his reaction:

"First I was shocked...I never thought I would find the original of this gem of a film in a heap of "on discount" CD's in a mall...I had no idea it was the uncut version...and while watching the film...I realised there is something new...I thought I may have not noticed these scenes earlier...my mind was playing games...but when the climax arrived...but the police didn't...then it dawned on me it was the original uncut version..."

Veeru also informs us of other extended scenes, including the one of Gabbar killing Ahmed. I can't wait to see this version, how can you take it so calmly, dear readers....anybody in Dubai who can pilfer it from Veeru?...before he wraps it in a chain and keeps the DVD in an unbreakable safe, and guards it day and night...I can make an offer you can't refuse...anybody...please...

‘If I had done Sholay...." Danny Denzongpa speaks...

2009-08-02T12:39:00.006+05:30

In a recent interview to Harneet Singh for the Screen Magazine, actor Danny Denzongpa finally answered THE QUESTION that we Sholay fans always wanted to ask. Here's an excerpt from the interview.

Do you regret not doing Gabbar Singh's role in Sholay?

Not at all. It was a decision taken with an open mind. My dates were committed to Feroz Khan for Dharmatma. I made Ferozbhai and Ramesh Sippy sit down together to find a way but the dates were clashing. I gave priority to Feroz Bhai's film since I had committed to him first.

If I had done Sholay we would have missed a fantastic actor in Amjad Khan. Also, I benefitted the most from Sholay's success. Amjad increased his price after the film. I increased my price by ten times.

The whole interview can be read at http://www.screenindia.com/news/if-i-had-done-sholay-we-would-have-missed-a-fantastic-actor-in-amjad-khan/490234/

Sholay original DVD's available at a steal....

2009-03-29T18:44:00.005+05:30

The Sholay DVD's are now available at great prices in Moser Baer.
Dvd's cost Rs 45 each, VCD's Rs 39.
To think I got that crappy ' collector's edition' for Rs 199...

15 years after Ajmad Khan's death, Amitabh remembers his friend

2008-01-07T14:25:00.006+05:30

Amitabh, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar (with his arms intact) and Amjad Khan on location for the shooting of (what else?!) Sholay

In a recent issue of Screen, the entertainment weekly, Amitabh remembered his dear friend Amjad Khan, on Amjad's 15th death anniversary in 2007. On the sets of Manmohan Desai's Parvarish, Shammi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Kader Khan, Amjad and Amitabh discovered that they were all Librans. So they made up a song set to the tune of a World War II British battle song that went – we are the crazy Librans @#$%$# up the film

Amitabh goes on to say: “In 1982, I had my accident on the sets of Coolie. Coming out of the ICU after two months, one of the first to meet me in hospital was Amjad. As he walked into the room at Breach Candy Hospital, he burst into 'we are crazy Librans'. It was perhaps the first time the nurses saw a smile on my face.” The song was sung whenever the actors found themselves in a tough situation during the shoot.

After Sholay, Amitabh worked in several films with Amjad. Amjad mostly played the villian in these films,with some exceptions like Yarana - where he essayed the role of a close friend of the hero - Amitabh.

In reel life, Amjad and Sanjeev were not exactly on intimate terms with each other..Thakur before life changes for him, courtesy Gabbar..

Amitabh-Jaya marraige photo

2008-01-05T15:27:00.003+05:30

The couple married in 1973 after which Jaya stopped doing films altogether. Another gifted actress was thus lost to matrimony. Jaya has been occasionally acting, noticeable lately in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Kal ho na ho (2003).

Sholay Producer G P Sippy Passes Away

2008-01-05T14:39:00.007+05:30

Ramesh Sippy and actor Dilip Kumar with GP Sippy in 2003, celebrating his 90th birthday

Gopaldas Parmanand Sippy, producer of Sholay and the father of Ramesh Sippy died on 25 December 2007. He was 93 years old. Before his son made history with Sholay, Ramesh had also directed Andaz (1971) and Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) under the Sippy banner.

GP Sippy's last film as producer was the unsuccessful Kajol-Saif Ali Khan starrer Hamesha (1997). Of course, Mr Sippy will always be remembered for taking a huge financial risk with Sholay. We are glad he took the risk...

Four new Sholay remakes:$100 million agreement between the Sippy's and Pritish Nandy Communications

2007-08-29T13:44:00.000+05:30

The Sippy's will be paid $100 million for remaking their 1975 cult classic, you know it- Sholay.
Even as Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag releases in India on August 31, 2007, the Sippy's have reached an agreement with Pritish Nandy Communications to make:

A remake.
A animated version of the 1975 film.
A prequel.
A sequel.

Sasha Sippy, the grandson of the 1975 film producer- G P Sippy, had earlier taken Ram Gopal Varma to court over the Varma remake releasing this Friday. He is also the chairman, Sholay Media and Entertainment (SME).
SME has the authority and rights over Sholay. The production of the animated version will begin soon, while the remake production is expected to start by December 2007. The cast is yet to be decided upon.

Ram Gopal Varma to release on August 31, 2007

2007-08-28T17:02:00.000+05:30

It is confirmed. It is coming. Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag, releases across theaters in India on August 31,2007.

RGV ki Aag: couple of stills

2007-08-17T08:53:00.000+05:30

Amitabh Bachchan and Mohanlal as Babban Singh and Narasimha

Ajay Devgan as Heero and Nisha Kothari as Ghunguroo

Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag: Storyline

2007-08-16T09:11:00.000+05:30

Evil has risen in the Mumbai underworld. A man who rejects all lawful things, who is unimaginably cruel and instinctively voilent, rules the underworld. Nobody has seen this man, those who have never lived.
But there is one Inspector Narasimha, a encounter specialist who is determined to end this man's reign. Narasimha however, has to face devastating consequences for his courage. Babban Singh mutilates Narasimha for life. Narasimha waits quietly for revenge, until...

Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag: tentative release date: August 31, 2007

2007-08-08T12:03:00.000+05:30

Amitabh Bachchan as Babban Singh

Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag is set to release on August 31, 2007.
Atleast that is the latest tentative release date.
The latest casualities of the copyright case and Jai and Veeru.
Jai,played by Prashant Raj is now Raj.
Veeru, played by Ajay Devgan in now Heero.

Other Characters

Mohanlal plays Inspector Narasimha, the man out to find Gabb...er Babban Singh.
Ghungroo is played by Nisha Kothari, who drives a auto named Laila. Yes she talks to the dumb thing too.
When Basanti talked to Dhanno, atleast it was a live horse...

Durga Devi is played by Sushmita Sen, yes, something like Jaya Bachchan.

The story setting offers a refreshing change.
What is it?
COMING SOON......

Sholay DVD Review: Disappointing "collectors edition"

2007-07-30T13:26:00.000+05:30

They call it the collector's edition. The cover is showy with SHOLAY written in gold. There is film trivia printed on its flap, most of which an average Sholay fan would know.

Now comes the disappointment of the "collectors edition". The DVD offers nothing but the movie. The film quality, instead of looking brand new, is jaded. It looks like a film that is three decades old.

Heartbreaking for a fanatic fan.

In contrast, Sergio Leone's 1966 classic The good, the bad and the ugly on DVD, may fool first-time viewers to assume that it is a new release.

The menu has scene and song selection, and new Hindi film trailers.

The end.

Where are the interviews?
Exclusive photographs?
How about a booklet about the film crew, song lyrics, notes of the excluded song and dhaba sequence?
A short documentary on how the film was made?
How the makers felt when the first week collections of the film was dismal?
Is the original footage of Gabbar being killed by Thakur still present? If there is, why there hasn't been a original version DVD?

There are many questions and expectations left answered. Finally, why is the DVD called a collector's edition after all?
It is like any other Hindi movie available on DVD.
Watch the movie, forget the celebration, the cult status, the classic shots.
Happy viewing.

RGV's AAG: Horse to Auto

2007-07-24T10:24:00.000+05:30

Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag will have a auto rickshaw -Laila instead of Basanti's female mare- Dhanno. The auto rickshaw driver- Ghungaroo.
Now we do not know if there is a chase sequence. If there is one, we don't expect Gabbar's men to chase Laila with thier own autos.

THE RGV REMAKE CAST

2007-07-17T16:21:00.000+05:30

Amitabh Bachchan ... Babban Singh

Mohanlal ... Inspector Narasimha

Ajay Devgan ... Virendra Chavan (Heero)

Prashant Raj ... Raj

Nisha Kothari ... Ghungroo

Sushmita Sen ... Durga Devi

Sushant Singh ... Thambe

Rajpal Yadav ... Soorma Bhopali

Boman Irani ... Angrez Jailer

Gaurav Kapoor ... Ahmed

Suchitra Krishnamoorthi ... Inspector Narasimha's Wife

Sachin ... Babban Singh's Brother

Urmila Matondkar ... Dancing Seductress - 'Mehbooba Mehbooba'

MORE On Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag

2007-07-17T15:52:00.000+05:30

It was the Delhi High Court that brought an end to the extended suspense over the title on July 16, 2007 by allowing the Ram Gopal Verma remake under the condition of releasing the film as Ram Gopal Verma ki Aag.
Translated it means " Ram Gopal Verma's fire."

RGV names Sholay remake as Aag

2007-07-17T13:42:00.000+05:30

Amitabh as Gabbar Singh or Babban Singh(?) in thr Ram Gopal Varma remake

Ram Gopal Varma is eager to release his Sholay remake in August, probably on August 15, the same day that Sholay was released.
Therofore he has finally forced himself to change the movie name to AAG (meaning-:fire) from the earlier Ram Gopal Varma ki Sholay.
The only members from the earlier film are Amitabh Bachchan who plays Gabbar Singh's role and Sachin. Sachin who played Ahmed in the 1975 blockbuster plays Babban's younger brother.
Amitabh's character name has been changed to Babban Singh for copyright reasons.

7/7/07: POST RELEASE FACTS

2007-07-05T10:14:00.000+05:30

Sholay was the first Indian 70mm film with stereophonic sound.

Sholay was to be withdrawn in the first week of its release due to poor attendence, but collections stared picking up in the second week.

The story goes, Amitabh Bachchan cried on the shoulders of Shashi Kapoor on the sets of Kabhie Kabhie on learning of Sholay's low first week collections.

Food stalls at some theatres did not do well as the audience was too awed to come out of the theaters during the interval.

Amitabh Bachchan, after years of failure became a star in 1975 with Deewar, Chupke Chupke and Sholay. As time went, Amitabh became an icon, a legend, a benchmark, a famous baritone.

THE SHOLAY COLLAGE

2007-06-29T10:12:00.003+05:30

Everyone knows Sholay.

Released on August 15, 1975, Ramesh Sippy's Sholay remains the iconic hmovie of all time. "It's a part of India's heritage," says director Dharmesh Dharshan.

Legend has it that after hearing the script, Amitabh wanted to play Gabbar Singh and Dharmendra wanted Sanjeev's role; writers Sailm-Javed had a hard time convincing them to play their assigned parts.
Dharmendra recently mentioned in a rare interview that the stories about him letting off the demand to play Thakur Baldev because then Sanjeev Kumar would have played his then love Hema Malini's hero were made up.

For the first time, the music company Polydor sold dialogue audio cassettes of a movie in millions as the film gained cult status. They continue to sell till date. Gabbar's dialogues are now part of Indian culture. You can hear them anywhere in the country, children to elderly people will oblige you with their renderations. Gabbar's pronouncements can be heard them in jokes, weddings, gatherings; advertisements have wrung the movie lines dry. Satire, books, headlines, daily talk, all have allusions to Sholay's dialogues.

Amjad and Hema did this scene over several retakes, until Hema's arm was sore with bruises.

In the original Sholay, Thakur Baldev Singh(Sanjeev Kumar) uses his thorn shoes to cut off Gabbar's hands. Two equals, they fight until Gabbar is killed, trampled like a snake under Thakur's feet. Thakur breaks down with the sudden loss of purpose in his life and from relief. The censors did not want this " anti- establishment" ending during the time of emergency, and stalled the film's release. Ramesh Sippy had to re-shoot an alternate ending with the police arriving from nowhere,which we see today.
The first ending exists in rare bootleg video cassettes, and those who have seen it say, Sholay was better as it was first shot.

The iconic status of the film lives on with T-shirts and graphically designed posters, among other memorabilia. Ram Gopal Varma may try hard in the forthcoming remake, but SHOLAY (1975) is forever.