Shatrughan Sinha confronted Dharmendra for giving his role in ‘Sholay’ to Amitabh Bachchan: ‘Paaji kyun mera role de diya’ |

While ‘Sholay’ is considered as the most iconic movie in Indian cinema, people remember the film largely for the lead characters Jai and Veeru played by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. While one cannot imagine anyone else now in these characters, did you know that Bachchan’s role was originally offered to Shatrughan Sinha. It was Dharmendra who recommended Big B for the part. In an old conversation, Dharmendra was asked about it and he told Rajat Sharma on ‘Aap Ki Adaalat’. “Main yeh kisi ko nahi bolta. Lekin ab Amitabh khud bolne lage hai. Woh role Shatru (Shatrughan Sinha) ko jaa raha tha. Shatru ko pataa chala toh usne kaha, paaji kyun mera role de diya. Maine kaha yaar tu samajh nahi aata. Woh aaya tha toh maine socha usko milna chahiye. He had also said in an interview with ANI about what happened. “Amitabh sahab (He used to come to meet me. He used to sit next to me. Toh Maine Ramesh Sippy ji ko kaha yeh naya ladka hai usko awaaz se to lagta hai bahut acha kaam karega…unki jo andar se chahna thi..jo khud se pyar karne ki khoobsurati thi vo achi lagi..maine kaha inko lelo (So I told him to take him).” Shatrughan Sinha also had reflected on how destiny had played its part. Speaking to Subhash K Jha, he said in an interview, “We would have also done Sholay together but fate willed it otherwise. It is always a pleasure to work with an actor who has no feeling of one-upmanship. Dharmendra is a very confident man and artiste. He has never coveted other actors’ roles, never indulged in competitive games. There is not a malicious bone in that rugged body.”He also acknowledged that he turned down ‘Sholay’ due to scheduling problems. In an interaction with AajTak, he admitted, “I was offered Amitabh Bachchan’s role in Sholay. Ramesh Sippy has written this in his book. I tried to take out dates for the film but I was doing so many films. I was very busy and Ramesh ji wasn’t able to tell me fixed dates for what duration he needs me. He wanted me to block all my dates for Sholay that couldn’t be done. I feel that I should have done that film. I didn’t do it. But I also feel happy for Amitabh Bachchan, who got such a big break with Sholay and he went on to become the national icon.”Dharmendra passed away on November 24, just weeks before what would have been his 90th birthday. Shatrughan Sinha and Dharmendra continued to remain friends til he passed away. The actor had also visited him and Hema Malini a few days before his death. They always shared a special connection. So much so, that Sinha’s birthday also comes just a day after Dharmendra’s birthday. Dharmendra’s birth anniversary was celebrated recently on December 8 while Sinha’s birthday is on December 9.