😲 You Won’t Believe Which Role Dharmendra Almost Played in Sholay! 🎬

TL;DR:Legendary actor Dharmendra reveals he was originally offered the iconic roles of Gabbar and Thakur in Sholay, but he clearly chose Veeru because the character felt so much like him 😎. The 50‑year‑old nation‑shaking film is getting a brand new 4K restoration and original ending restored, premiering at Bologna on June 27, 2025 📽️—a true tribute to the real heroes on screen (and behind the scenes)!

🔥 The Untold Tale: Gabbar or Thakur?

Guess what? Dharmendra confessed that early casting offers had his name for Gabbar Singh and even Thakur Baldev Singh 😳, both heavy-hitting roles in the Sholay universe. But matter-of-fact Dharmendra says, “I was clear that I wanted to play the role of Veeru as he is so much like me.” He even shared how “the real hero was the coin” in that iconic coin-flip scene 💰—a line that resonated with fans for generations.

Why Veeru?

Playing Veeru wasn't just about the action; it was personal. Dharmendra said he had so much fun shooting and loved the temple and tanki scenes. But nothing hit harder than Jai's death scene, a moment he calls "powerful" and that still etches in his heart.

🌍 4K Restoration & Premiere in Italy

Mark your calendars! Sholay will be screened in Bologna, Italy, on June 27 at the Il Cinema Ritrovato festival. This isn't just any screening—it’s the fully restored 4K version with the original ending and deleted scenes brought back to life thanks to the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films.

Some fans might remember the unedited climax where Thakur actually kills Gabbar, but the Censor Board later changed it to an arrest by police—now, the true director’s cut will be seen again.

Dharmendra & Big B on the 50-Year Legacy

Both Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan are calling this milestone screening a “watershed moment”—acknowledging how Sholay became the 8th wonder of the world and changed Indian cinema forever. Amitabh added that working on Sholay was “an unforgettable experience” and paved his way to superstardom.

🎥 More Fun Facts

• Ramesh Sippy actually first offered Thakur to Dilip Kumar, and Danny Denzongpa was the initial pick for Gabbar—both ended up passing.

• Dharmendra recommended Amitabh Bachchan for Jai, because he believed in his raw talent 😌.

• The legendary Gabbar strapped to army fatigues in the original—giving that menacing modern look that defined his evil aura.

🎉 Why This Matters Today

• It’s 50 years (since August 15, 1975) of jaw-dropping performances like #Veeru, #Jai, and #Gabbar—these aren’t just roles, they’re cultural icons.

• The 4K restoration brings rare footage and the cutting-room finishing into view, satisfying fans who've wondered “What happened to the original end?”

• Regional pride kicks in—filmed around Ramanagara, Karnataka, showcasing rural India’s landscapes for the first time on the big screen.

📣 MediaFx Take (From the People’s View)

From a people-first lens, it’s amazing to see this blast from the past being restored with its full story intact—the original ending, the full violence, the complete vision. That’s the true story; no watering down for commercial gain, no sanitizing history for the masses. Sholay was always about the common folk rising against tyranny—Gabbar’s terror, Thakur’s vengeance, Jai–Veeru’s bravery—and now their voices can be heard exactly as they were meant to be. Full respect to Ramesh Sippy and the teams who refused to let censorship stay buried. Real stories matter.

🗣 Join the Charcha!

What’s your favourite Sholay dialogue or scene? Are you #TeamVeeru or still shook by #Gabbar’s laughter? Comment below—let’s relive the magic together!

#Sholay #Dharmendra #Bollywood #CinemaHistory #IndianClassic