Thread by @IWTKQuiz

Today Amjad Khan would have turned 80 years old. Most of us know him for his iconic role as Gabbar Singh.

But did you know that originally Danny Denzongpa was supposed to play Gabbar - a pic from the Launch Party of the film in 1983.

A thread about how Amjad became Gabbar.

Danny Denzonpa had a hit in 1973 - Dhund. He had been signing films indiscriminately after its success.

Overcoming sniggers and racist remarks, he had become a star and wanted to cash in on it. One of the films signed was Feroz Khan's Dharmatma.

Dharmatma was going to be shot in Afghanistan, overcoming all bureaucratic hassles, Feroz Khan got permission to shoot in the month of October 1973. And no other time was permitted.

Sholay was also going to start its shoot in October. With a heavy heart Danny let go of Sholay.

Ramesh Sippy was desperate for an actor to play Gabbar. He went to the extent of trying to get Premnath to play Gabbar. But he had bloated physically and in an already massive star cast, he didn't want another star and an ego to massage.

In discussions, Amjad Khan's name came up. He was the son of character artist Jayant but was struggling to get roles. He had a strong reputation in theater.

In fact Javed Akthar had seen Amjad Khan in a play in 1963 in Delhi and was impressed.

A few days after Danny left, Salim Khan bumped into Amjad Khan and took him to Ramesh Sippy. Sippy explained the role - Amjad knew this was his chance.

Ramesh asked Amjad to grow a beard for the role and take a screen test, but didn't guarantee the role.

Satyen Kappu, who had been cast as Ramlal, and was a theater stalwart told Ramesh that Amjad was a much better actor than him.

A few days later, a screen test was done. Amjad had grown his beard and blackened his teeth. His diction was right, language perfect. He was selected.

The date of selection was 20th September 1973. Amjad hurriedly went to the hospital to inform his pregnant wife about his selection as Gabbar. His son Shadaab was born at 4.10PM later that day.

The role of Gabbar was going to be a big deal for Amjad Khan. He prepared for the role by devouring 'Abhishapth Chambal' a book on Chambal dacoits by Taroon Coomar, Jaya Bhaduri's father.

He rehersed his lines and fleshed out his character. But was somehow not confident.

In the first schedule of shooting at Ramnagar, near Bangalore, Amjad Khan struggled. The iconic 'Kitne Aadmi The' scene was nowhere near what it would end up being. Amjad struggled with chewing tobacco and telling his dialogues.

Ramesh Sippy asked Amjad to relax and prepare better by staying in character and keeping his costume on.

For the rest of the schedule, Amjad prepared for the role but grew anxious. He would write to his wife telling her about his lack of confidence in pulling off the role.

The next schedule, it clicked. Amjad got the Gabbar character bang on. His diction and language was perfect.

But given that he was a new comer there were murmurs in the unit that he was going to be fired.

Salim Javed, who had insisted on Amjad Khan, told Ramesh Sippy to get rid of Amjad if he was not up to the mark.

There was a lot of uncertainity among the unit members until Ramesh Sippy clarified that Amjad will be Gabbar.

Amjad Khan found out about the rumours much later, but the incident sowed the seeds of misunderstanding between Salim Javed and Amjad Khan.

Amjad couldn't understand why someone who recommended him, wanted him to be thrown out. The trio never worked again.

End of thread.

Plug start.

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