The bond between Shatrughan Sinha and the legendary actor Dharmendra was something really special. The two actors have their birthdays in the same month, only one day apart. The actors' birthday celebrations are as follows: the birth of Dharmendra is celebrated on December 8, while Shatrughan has a birthday on December 9, and he turns 79 this year. The friendship between the two actors is very close, because Shatrughan treats Dharmendra like his "older brother" and "first hero." In 1968, Dharmendra was the male lead of the movie Pyaar Hi Pyaar, and Vijayantimala played the female lead, while Shatrughan depicted a villain, marking his entry into the Hindi film industry. The relationship between Shatrughan Sinha and Dharmendra has always been very deep and powerful. They collaborated in many films like Blackmail, Dost, Ganga Tere Desh Mein, Shehzade, and Taaqat.
Was Shatrughan Sinha offered the role of Jai in Sholay?
Shatrughan and Dharmendra were to share the screen in Sholay, which is one of the films that marked Dharmendra's career the most. However, Dharmendra suggested Amitabh Bachchan for the part of Jai, thus blocking Shatrughan's chance of getting the part. Shatrughan later talked about it with Dharmendra.
TRENDING NOW
How did Shatrughan’s role in Sholay go to Amitabh?
In an old interview, Dharmendra said, “I never said it but since Amitabh himself has started talking about it now, so I’ll admit it. Yes, I got him the role. Amitabh used to come to me for this role. Otherwise, it was going to Shatrughan Sinha. When Shatru got to know he came to me and said, ‘Paaji, you gave my role to him!’ To which I replied, “I wasn’t sure what to do. Amitabh had come to me first, so I thought I should give it to him.”
What did Shatrughan say about the Sholay casting incident?
Shatrughan Sinha, reacting to this incident, said that he wanted to work with Dharmendra in Sholay, but fate had other plans. Shatrughan said in an interview, “We would have also done Sholay together but fate willed it otherwise. It is always a pleasure to work with an actor who has no feeling of one-upmanship. Dharmendra is a very confident man and artiste. He has never coveted other actors’ roles, never indulged in competitive games. There is not a malicious bone in that rugged body.”
Shatrughan Sinha has also openly regretted not doing Sholay. He said to Aaj Tak that he was suggested for Amitabh Bachchan's part in the film Sholay. Ramesh Sippy has mentioned this in his book. He attempted to clear his timetable to join the movie crew, but he was busy with numerous films.
Shatrughan Sinha remembers Dharmendra
Dharmendra's 90th birthday was on December 8, but he passed away a few days before that. Remembering him on social media, Shatrughan wrote, “Remembering with immense love & fondness my ‘first hero’ & ‘people’s hero’ in true sense, like a dear elder brother @aapkadharam You have left behind a huge vacuum no one can ever fill. You are truly irreplaceable. You will live in our hearts forever. Long Live Dharamji!”
Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!
Subscribe Now
Enroll for our free updates