Remembering Amjad Khan

( 12th November 1940 - 27th July 1992 )

'जो डर गया वो समझो मर गया ! '

It was May 1973.... Ramesh Sippy was a much a relaxed person as he had ultimately finalised the  star cast of Sholay and the photograph of his  forthcoming multistarrer Cast appeared in Screen bulletin on the background of a big lit up fire. In the photo were Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh, Hema Malini, Jaya and Danny Denzongpa... Yes,  the much talked about role of villain ' Gabbar Singh', after long deliberations and discussions has finally been zeroed down to Danny,  a young upcoming actor who has  just rose to fame by his negative role in ' Dhund '  

But the 'Destiny' had planned something different in her mind. The shooting schedule of Danny for Firozkhan's  film ' Dharmatma', which was to be shot in Afganistan, coincided with that of Sholay and as no solution appeared to be found out Danny opted for ' Dharmatma' standing by his commitment he had first made to Firozkhan.

Again the search for the Gabbar  started, but now a frantic and desperate one. Finally Amjad Khan, a theatre actor, was selected for the role of Gabbar Singh  on the recommendation of Salim- Javed, the storywriters of Sholay and shooting of Sholay ultimately started. 

But Amjad, though acted in a few films earlier was not an experienced actor. In his first scene,even after forty retakes, he could not do well the Gabbar's basic  mannerism on a horse back : taking tobacco out of the pouch, mincing  it and putting it in the mouth. The shooting of his scenes was therefore suspended.

Amjad wept,cried. His father was suffering from cancer and his son was  only of a month. His entire career depended on this film. He rehearsed and rehearsed. Ramesh Sippy stood by his side. He was advised to be in costume of Gabbar till next schedule and to live like the Gabbar in the unit. In next schedule he was prepared and after a few takes gave his first shot right. 

What happened thereafter all are aware of. Amjad Khan portrayed Gabbar  as a sadistic villain, a pure evil so completely that none of the roles of any other villain,  till date, even his own, came closure to what he has performed in Sholay. Sholay became the historic film and Gabbar Singh the  Legend...

Amjad Khan's peculiar dialogue delivery, unusual laughter ended up in  watching  Sholay by film viewers by  fifty, sixty times with fanatical devotion. His dialogues from Sholay कितने आदमी थे ,बहोत याराना लगता है रे,अरे ओ सांभा are still part of the daily life.

After Sholay, Amjad Khan's performance was once again hailed in 'Inkaar' and in Muqaddar ka Sikandar'. The Industry was looking for a fresh  villain as 'Ajit' was on the verge of retirement. Amjad's performance in Satyajit Ray's film 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' was also critically accalimed.

Amjad Khan got injured in 1986 and passed away in 1992 due to the complications arose out of the accident. But he has remained immortal as Gabbar Singh in the hearts of the billions of people....