SholaySecrets: Amjad Khan Breakdown and Drunk Salim Khan Premiere Fight!
Nearly 49 years ago, Bollywood witnessed the creation of one of its most memorable lines: "Kitne Aadmi The" from the iconic film Sholay. But behind the scenes, the making of this legendary dialogue was far from smooth. Amjad Khan, who brought the fearsome Gabbar Singh to life, struggled intensely to deliver this pivotal line.
The Struggle Behind the Iconic Line
When Amjad Khan first arrived in Bangalore for the film’s initial schedule, he was overwhelmed with anxiety. This nervousness led to repeated failures in delivering the famous line, "Kitne Aadmi The." According to Anupama Chopra’s Sholay: The Making of a Classic, Khan struggled for two days, with director Ramesh Sippy and cameraman Dwarka Divecha working tirelessly to help him. Despite their efforts, Khan could not deliver the line correctly even after 40 takes.
An excerpt from the book reveals that after multiple failed attempts, Khan was given a break. Divecha advised him to remain in his costume and relax, allowing him some time to calm down. That night, Khan was so distressed that he cried.
Salim-Javed’s Involvement and Misunderstandings
There were even rumors that Amjad Khan might be replaced due to his inability to perform the line properly. It was Salim Khan who initially suggested Amjad Khan for the role of Gabbar Singh. Salim had told Khan, "I can’t promise you anything, but there is a role in a big film. I’ll take you to the director. Agar aap ko yeh role mil jaaye, aap ki koshish se ya aapki kismat se."
Despite the initial support, Salim-Javed’s confidence wavered when Khan continued to struggle. They eventually suggested that if Khan did not meet their expectations, he should be replaced. This misunderstanding fueled rumors and tension, causing friction between Khan and the writers.
The Scuffle at the Premiere
The situation escalated to a dramatic confrontation at Sholay’s premiere. A drunk Salim Khan and an angry Amjad Khan reportedly got into a scuffle, which was only defused when Amitabh Bachchan intervened. Although Salim Khan apologized the next day, the incident marked the end of Khan’s professional relationship with Salim-Javed.
The behind-the-scenes drama of Sholay adds a layer of intrigue to its legacy, revealing the intense pressures and conflicts that shaped one of Indian cinema's greatest films.
