Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan’s Sholay (1975) is regarded as a cult film in Hindi cinema today. The film featured Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra as the leads and cemented their footing in the industry forever. However, before the film’s massive success, it underperformed when it first opened in theatres. As revealed in the documentary Angry Young Men, Ramesh Sippy held an emergency meeting with Amitabh Bachchan, Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan. They decided to wait till Monday, which is when the film became a blockbuster.
Salim Khan said in Angry Young Men, “Sippy saab wanted to make a big film after the success of Seeta aur Geeta. We narrated the story of Majboor to him, but he insisted he wanted to make a big film.”
Javed Akhtar recalled, “Sholay’s location had turned into a township. A factory that made various gadgets was set up already. Say, a scene was to be shot where Dharam ji is singing on a cycle, they would make the equipment so that it could move on one wheel. So, the scale of this picture was unprecedented.
However, the film tanked at the box office upon its release. Sachin Pilgaonkar recalled, “Ramesh ji, who was already nervous, got even more nervous. He started with a budget of Rs 1 crore, sanctioned by his father. By the time the film was completed, he had spent Rs 3 crore. Three times the budget.”
However, when the reviews came out, the film was declared a flop. Ramesh Sippy said, “We were worried that why are the trade papers totally slashing the film?” Javed Akhtar recalled being told that the characterisation was incorrect, the scenes were bad and that the film was too gruesome for women. Salim Khan that they needed to back their project with confidence.
Javed Akhtar said, “We had an emergency meeting, Amitabh Bachchan was there. Ramesh Sippy, Salim Khan and I were there.” Amitabh Bachchan said, “Ramesh ji said that we should think of changing the ending so that you don’t die, but you should live.” Javed added, “We told him not to worry. Let them say what they want to. This is going to be a super hit. It’s all nonsense.” Amitabh said that Ramesh Sippy suggested that they wait till Monday. He said, “After Monday, it became history. Didn’t it?”
As for Angry Young Men, the three-part series looks at how Salim-Javed changed Hindi cinema in the 1970s with their powerful scripts and the famous ‘Angry Young Man’ character. Featuring insights from the duo and industry stars, it shows how their work in blockbusters like Sholay, Deewaar, and Don captured a generation and made a lasting cultural impact. The docuseries aims to provide a personal and honest look at their lives, their writing, and their legacy.
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