Ramesh Sippy reveals screenwriters duo Salim-Javed wanted him to dub for Amjad Khan's character in 'Sholay'

Filmmaker Ramesh Sippy’s 'Sholay' remains his most memorable work and an evergreen creation in the Indian film industry. In a recent conversation, he discussed various aspects of the film, including his feelings about its enduring success throughout his career. He also talked about actor Amjad Khan, who portrayed the iconic character Gabbar Singh, mentioning that writers duo Salim-Javed initially didn't find his voice menacing enough.
Danny Denzongpa was initially offered the role of Gabbar, but Ramesh and the team decided to cast Amjad Khan after Salim-Javed recommended him. However, later on, the writers debated whether Khan's voice should be dubbed in the film. Salim-Javed wanted Ramesh to dub Amjad’s voice, but he believed in retaining Khan's natural voice. Ramesh found Khan's imposing physical presence contrasting with his voice intriguing, feeling it added depth to the character. He strongly felt that Khan's voice suited the essence of Gabbar Singh perfectly.
In the same chat with Bollywood Bubble, Ramesh also discussed exceeding the film's budget. The production budget was originally planned at Rs 1 crore but eventually rose to nearly Rs 3 crore by the time filming concluded. Ramesh's father, GP Sippy, produced the film, and despite the increased budget, Ramesh never felt pressured by him. He emphasized that GP Sippy was a highly respected entrepreneur who allowed him creative freedom and supported his dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for the film. Ramesh became deeply involved in the production, prioritizing perfection in every aspect, whether it was lighting or capturing the ideal shot.
He further added that Sippy Films had two scripts from Salim-Javed at that time—'Sholay' and 'Majboor'. While Ramesh thought they should begin production on ‘Majboor’ since its script was ready, his father advised him to proceed with 'Sholay' without delay and not prioritize 'Majboor'. ‘Majboor’ was directed by Ravi Tandon, featuring Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role.