Recently I read a book titled “ SHOLAY The making of a classic’’ describing the story of making the one of the greatest blockbuster of Hindi cinema. The book written by Anupama Chopra can engulf any Sholay fan with its excellent story telling style. I am sharing some of the fascinating facts of the classic taken from the book.
A lot of character in the film got their name from people who the story writer duo of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar knew or heard of. The name Gabbar Singh was taken from real-life dacoit who created terror in villages near Gwalior. Javed knew Surma Bhopali, who was a forest officer in Bhopal. Veeru and Jai were college friends of Salim and Thakur Baldev Singh is his father-in-law. The comic scene of “veeru ki shaadi” was inspired by real life event. Javed Akhtar was in love with Honey Irani and Salim took the proposal to her parents. The conversation between Salim and Irani’s parents got space in the 70mm screen with Amitabh Bachhan ending the conversation by “Kya karu Mausi… mera to dil kuch aisa hain”.
