Dharmendra is ill these days and after staying in the hospital for several days, he is undergoing treatment at home. Amidst all this, if we talk about the films of Bollywood’s main man, he has given many blockbuster films and ruled the hearts of the audience with his powerful acting. Many of his characters are still alive in the hearts of fans. His character of Veeru in the iconic film ‘Sholay’ is also one of these, but do you know that initially he did not want to play the character of Veeru?

When he initially heard the script, he wanted to play the character of Thakur or Gabbar. Director Ramesh Sippy, during a conversation with The Lallantop, had revealed that Dharmendra told him, “This is Thakur’s story and he is fighting against Gabbar. What will we do?” To this, Sippy quipped, “Okay, either play Thakur or Gabbar, but then you won’t get Hema Malini.” The interesting thing is that Dharmendra had collected the highest fee for Shoal.

,cinder’ How much fee did Dharmendra get?
Let us tell you that according to many reports, Dharmendra was the highest paid actor on the sets, he got Rs 1.5 lakh for the role of Veeru. Sanjeev Kumar, who played the role of Thakur Baldev Singh in the film, received Rs 1.25 lakh as fee. At the same time, Amitabh Bachchan received a fee of Rs 1 lakh for his character Jai. Whereas, Rs 50 thousand was received for the dangerous but memorable character of Gabbar Singh played by Amjad Khan. Talking about the leading actress of the film, Hema Malini got a fee of Rs 75 thousand, while Jaya Bachchan got the least, only Rs 35 thousand.

Dharmendra had recommended Amitabh for the role of ‘Jai’
Interestingly, it was Dharmendra who recommended Bachchan for the role of Jai in Sholay. The legendary actor was asked about this in Rajat Sharma’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ and he said, “I don’t tell this to anyone. But now Amitabh himself has started speaking. That role was going to Shatru (Shatrughan Sinha). When Shatru came to know about it, he said, Paji, why did you give my role.”

Sulakshana Pandita, who spread the magic of her voice in Bollywood, has passed away at the age of 71. The reason for his death is not yet public but many reports have mentioned about his poor health. According to Times Now, Sulakshana was admitted in Nanavati Hospital.

Sulakshana celebrated her 71st birthday on 12th July this year. Sulakshana had become mentally and physically weak. She was a singer and actress of the 70-80s. He sang many hit songs and also worked in films.

About Sulakshana
Sulakshana Pandit was born in a Brahmin family in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. According to IANS, his uncle Jasraj was a classical musician, who also received the ‘Padmashree’ award. Sulakshana had 3 brothers and sisters.

His two brothers (Jatin and Lalit) are famous Bollywood lyricists, while his sister Vijayata is a singer as well as a film actress. Sulakshana started singing at the age of 9.

Sulakshana’s singing career started with the song ‘Saat Samdar Paar Se…’ in the film ‘Takrir’ with Lata Mangeshkar. After that, he acted in more than 20 films and sang songs in more than 21 films in his career from 1967 to 1988. In 1976, he received the Filmfare Award for the song ‘Tu Hi Sagar Hai, Tu Hi Kinara…’ from the film ‘Sankalp’.

Had one-sided love with Sanjeev Kumar

However, after that she gradually got separated from the industry and the reason for this was Sanjeev Kumar, with whom she had a one-sided love. During the shooting of the film ‘Uljhan’ in 1975, Sulakshana started loving Sanjeev Kumar one-sidedly.

However, the love story remained incomplete. That is because Sanjeev Kumar did not accept Sulakshana’s love, because he was in love with Hema Malini at that time. This love of Sanjeev Kumar also did not succeed, because Hema Malini rejected his love and later married Dharmendra.

Sanjeev Kumar was so saddened by this that he remained unmarried for the rest of his life. On the other hand, Sulakshana also did not marry anyone else. When Sanjeev Kumar died on 6 November 1985 at the age of 47, Sulakshana was also heartbroken. She was in deep shock and due to this her relationship with the Bollywood world gradually weakened.

In an interview, Sulakshana herself had revealed the incidents of incomplete love and attempting suicide after the death of Sanjeev Kumar. Sulakshana tried to live life again, but the emptiness and pain never went away. Even today, the incomplete love story of Sulakshana and Sanjeev is remembered in those stories of Bollywood, where there was love and dedication, but not togetherness.

(This story also includes IANS inputs.)

Sanjeev Kumar, who left this world at the age of 47, is considered a veteran actor of Bollywood. Despite being young, Sanjeev Kumar has played the role of an old man very well in many brilliant films in his career. If you also like the acting of this great actor of the film industry, then you can watch these great movies from ‘Sholay’ to ‘Angoor’ on OTT. Sanjeev Kumar’s films will entertain you.

‘cinder ‘
Sanjeev Kumar created a stir by playing the role of ‘Thakur’ in this explosive film directed by Ramesh Sippy. This movie of Sanjeev Kumar is considered one of the best movies of Bollywood. Viewers who want to watch this film can watch it on Prime Video.

‘Trishul’
The director of the film ‘Trishul’ was Yash Chopra and this film was released in 1978. It included actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Rakhi Gulzar, and Waheeda Rehman. This film can be seen on ZEE5

‘Conflict ‘
Sangharsh film director H.S. Was Ravail. This film was released in 1968 and the lead actors of the film were Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanti Mala, Balraj Sahni and Sanjeev Kapoor. This film can be watched on Amazon Prime Video.

‘Grape ‘
In 1982, the film Angoor was directed by Gulzar. The main actors in this film were Sanjeev Kumar, Deven Verma, Moushumi Chatterjee and Aruna Irani in the lead roles. This film can be watched on Amazon Prime Video

‘toy’
‘Khilona’ is a Hindi film released in 1970, which was directed by Chander Vohra. Sanjeev Kumar, Mumtaz and Jitendra were in the lead roles in this film. This film can be watched on Amazon Prime Video.

Before the Bihar assembly elections of 2025, many leaders have changed frost and some are in preparation. Recently, Valmiki Singh, a senior JDU leader and a two -time legislative councilor, joined Prashant Kishore’s party Jan Suraj. Now the picture of Tejashwi Yadav, MLA from Parbatta, JDU, is becoming viral on social media. Discussion has started whether JDU MLAs are going to join RJD?

With the picture going viral, it is being claimed that Sanjeev Kumar is going to join RJD. However, how much truth is there in this claim cannot be confirmed. On the other hand, from the background of the picture, it seems that when the Grand Alliance had a 17 -month -old government, this is the picture of that time in Bihar. Because this is the picture of the office of the road construction department. There is a board of road construction department in the back. Tejashwi Yadav was the minister of the Road Construction Department at that time along with the Deputy Chief Minister.

Sanjeev Kumar may join RJD

However, if sources are to be believed, there is news about Sanjeev Kumar that he can leave JDU and join RJD. According to sources, he can join RJD on Friday (October 03, 2025). He has said this to some journalists close to him. Now we have to see what happens next.

Annoyed MLA Sanjeev Kumar

Let us tell you that it is not new that Parbatta MLA Sanjeev Kumar is angry with JDU. His displeasure has also been reflected earlier. Sanjeev Kumar’s displeasure was also revealed during the floor test. He was missing till two days before the floor test. The same day the police had detailed him, after which he came. It was said that he had arrived after CM Nitish Kumar agreed.

He has been making rhetoric against him before. He had organized an event in Patna and said that he will be with those who will honor him in the election. From that time, there was a discussion that Sanjeev Kumar Pala could change.

Ramesh Sippy, the producer of Bollywood’s iconic film ‘Sholay’, told that when he chose Amjad Khan for the role of Gabbar in the film, many people suspected his decision.

The director told in a conversation that at that time people believed that Amjad Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra would look ‘like a rat’. But Amjad’s brilliant acting proved everyone wrong.

Gabbar Singh’s character became star overnight

Gabbar Singh’s character made him a big star overnight. Ramesh Sippy said, people who did not like my decision, he told me that Amjad Khan will look ‘Rat’ in front of such big actors. But what did they know that the same rat would become the biggest star.

Amjad’s performance made him the most memorable villain

Amjad’s performance not only shut down the critics, but Gabbar Singh’s character became the most memorable villain of Indian cinema. Let me tell you, Dharmendra (Veeru) and Amitabh Bachchan (Jai) are two small criminals in ‘Sholay’, who brings a retired police officer (Sanjeev Kumar) to catch the dreaded bandit named Gabbar Singh.

The film was shot at the hill and rocky places of Ramnagaram in Karnataka. The shooting started in October 1973 and it took two and a half years to complete.

Superhit became the right film from late

Initially, the film did not get good reviews from critics, and its earnings were also not special. But later gradually the praise of the audience and positive things made it a superhit. In 1990, its 204 minute original director was released on cut home media. It was the highest grossing film of India at the time, and this record remained until the film ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun ..!’ Was not released.

Bollywood photo gallery

On 15 August 1975, a film was released, which changed the story of Indian cinema. The name of this film is Sholay. Sholay is being released 50 years and the film is still classic. Sholay’s screenplay, dialogue, acting are all amazing. If you want to enjoy Sholay on 15 August, then let us know where you can watch this film.

Sholay can see in 4 ways online.

Where can you watch Sholay online?

You can buy Sholay on YouTube for free and for 25 rupees. Apart from this, you can also watch the film on Google Play movies. For this, you will have to spend 25 rupees.

The film is also available on Apple TV. This film will have to spend Rs 129.

Earlier this film was also available on Amazon Prime. But now the film has removed from there due to the rights expiry.

Sholay’s box office and cast

Sholay was directed by Ramesh Sippy. There was a screenplay of Salim-Javed. Actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini and Amjad Khan were seen in the film. Each of the film’s character was Kamal. The film earned more than 30 crores in India.

When Javed Akhtar was asked about the film how Sholay became such a big hit film, he had said- if I had known, I would not have written another Sholay. Karishma can never be defined whether it is of a person or an art, or that of a film or singing. If you solve it or decoded it, then that charisma will not be left.

Also read- Released 50 years ago, the film composed history, earned ‘3000 crores’ at the box office

It has been 50 years since the release of Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra’s film ‘Sholay’. The film was released on 15 August 1975. This film is a record breaking film of its era. The film has re-defined Indian cinema. This film, made in a budget of just 3 crores, earned 50 crores.

The film was an all -time blockbuster hit. However, the film did not start well. In the first week, the film earned well but then gradually the collection of the film went on to grow. Sholay still holds a special place in the hearts of fans. Let’s know about the collection of the film.

Sholay’s box office collection

According to Sacnilk, Sholay collected a collection of 30 to 35 crores in India. According to today, this income sits more than Rs 3000 crore. The film had grossed overseas 15 crores. The total world wide gross collection of Sholay is around 50 crores. The net collection of the film is 15.50 crores. It became one of the big hit films of Indian cinema.

• Talking about the net collection of the film, in the first week, the film collected. 69 crores.
• After this, the film earned .80 crores in the second week.
• In the third week, the film did a business of 87 crores.
• In the fourth week, the film collected. 79 crores, in the fifth week, the film collected. 75 crores, in the sixth week. 70 crores, .68 crore in the seventh week, .63 crore in the eighth week.
• In the ninth week, the film earned. 59 crores. The film grossed 9 crores in tenth and later weeks.

Film cast

Please tell that the film was directed by Ramesh Sippy. At the same time, GP Shippy produced. In the film, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra were seen in the pair of Jai and Veeru. In the film, stars like Hema Malini, Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bachchan were seen in the film. The story of the film was based on love and revenge. The dialogues of this film are still spoken.

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This August 15 is completing 50 years of release of Indian cinema’s Cult film ‘Sholay’. The film, directed by Ramesh Sippy on the 50th anniversary of the film, will be premiered in Toronto on 6 September. The 4K version of the film will be available to the audience in Amireka.

After such a big news related to the film, discussions have started again about this film. In such a situation, let us know many amazing things related to this film, which will make you realize why this film became a Cult.

This film was also seen a lot abroad

This film of Amitabh Bachchan-Dharmendra and Amjad Khan continued for more than 2000 days in India. This film, which got many silver and golden jubilee, was seen not only in India but also abroad.

• The film was highly appreciated in the Middle East and in the Soviet Union. Till the Soviet Union, Raj Kapoor was the first to spread the madness of Bollywood films. Years later, there was a similar craze about ‘Sholay’.
• During that time ‘Sholay’ in the Soviet Union Millions of people were made fans. The underground fan clubs of its dubbed prints were formed. These fans had even rote the dialogues of ‘Sholay’. He then started raising slogans like ‘Dancing in front of these dogs’ in broken Hindi.
• Not only this, after this, films like Moula Jatt, a 1979 film in Pakistan, were also inspired by this film. Not only this, a country like Turkey also started making action films with inspiration from this film.

Budget and box office collection of ‘Sholay’

At that time, ‘Sholay’ was prepared in a very expensive budget of Rs 3 crore and the film earned about 12 times its budget. The box office collection of the film was 35 crores in those days, which was the highest collection in 1994 till ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’ came.

Exactly 50 years ago, on 15 August 1975, the story of Jai-Viru’s friendship, Gabbar’s cruelty and Thakur’s revenge were seen in Cinemahal. This story was launched in the cinema hall under the name ‘Sholay’. As soon as the film arrived, the flop started going. But gradually it started getting intoxicated among the people and then what happened is history.

Many experiments were done in this film. Earlier, such a bang stunt and rare stereophoneic sound were not used in any Bollywood film. Panavjan lenses were ordered to shoot this film which was making it more grand.

At a time when the success of the film was judged from Golden Jubilee and Silver Jubilee. ‘Sholay’ completed 60 Golden Jubilee (50 weeks in a single theater) and 100 silver jubilee (25 weeks in a single theater).

‘Sholay’ created new dimensions in Golden and Silver Jubilee

‘Sholay’ set a record of staying in cinema hall for 286 weeks. The film celebrated Silver Jubilee in more than 100 theaters. This is nothing. If you listen to the records related to the film’s Golden Jubilee, it will be really surprised.

• ‘Sholay’ completed 60 Golden Jubilee. This is history in itself because no film had done this before.
• If you convert 286 weeks of the film in a year, then it is more than 5 years. If you convert it in days, then these are 2002 days.
• That is, no film descended from cinema hall for more than 2000 days. For this reason, Dharmendra calls this film the eighth wonder of the world. So at the same time, Amitabh says that when this film was released, no one had an idea that milestone would prove to be proved.

Let me tell you that at that time, the 4 of the 4 crore version of this film will be shown at the Toronto Film Festival after the completion of the 50th anniversary on 6 September.