And the dosti carries on

Even today, Amitabh and Dharmendra address each other as Jai and Veeru

MUMBAI/ NEW DELHI: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan says the bond he shares with Sholay co-star Dharmendra is like the iconic pairing of Jai-Veeru even today.

About his friendship with Dharmendra in real life, Bachchan said: “What you saw in the film is the kind of bond Dharam ji and I share even today. We meet today not just as co-actors but as Jai-Veeru.”

The bond of Bachchan as Jai and Dharmendra as Veeru was the highlight of Sholay. The song picturised on them, Ye Dosti Hum Nahin Chorenge is one of the most popular friendship songs in the history of Indian cinema.

Read: 40 years on: Sholay through the eyes of Big B

About the benchmark the Jai-Veeru friendship set, Bachchan said: “Once people love a particular thing, it becomes an example. The first thing gets stuck in the minds of people and they feel that this example should be followed.”

Dharmendra perhaps helped Bachchan being finalised for the film.

“When I was unsure if I’ll get cast in the film, I even visited Dharam ji’s home and told him that I deeply wish to work in this film and if you could recommend me that would be great,” he said.

In a reference to the coin tossed by the two characters in the film, Bachchan defined friendship as “Friendship is that kind of a coin where both sides have the same image. And friendship for me is the kind where I’ll always wish that my friend lives on forever.”

Bachchan also shared anecdotes about the film, including mulling numerous changes to ensure its success and the friendly interaction with the entire cast.

Read: Amitabh Bachchan: At work with the wonder called Kangana Ranaut

The revenge drama was one of the best examples of a masala film. Written by renowned writer duo Salim-Javed, the movie was directed by Ramesh Sippy and also starred Amjad Khan, Hema Malini and Sanjeev Kumar among others.

He had a perfect real Veeru in Dharmendra in Sholay forty years ago. However in real life, megastar Amitabh Bachchan shares the Veeeru bond with his son Abhishek.

When the Big B was asked “Who’s your Veeru in real life”, he responded, “My son Abhishek”

Their chemistry and ability to work together as a team has also translated on screen in films like Bunty Aur Babli and Paa.

For Amitabh, it’s an emotional experience to look back at Sholay, an iconic Bollywood film. It was interesting back then that Dharmendra went on to marry Hema, while Amitabh had exchanged vows with Jaya only months before the film’s shooting began.

“Artistes involved in a project all work with the intent of delivering what has been asked of them, and that to me is special,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th,  2015.

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