The film Sholay released on 15 August 1975 is still considered one of the most memorable films of Indian cinema. This film not only changed the definition of friendship, action and emotion, but also gave a villain whom people have not forgotten even after 50 years, Gabbar Singh. But do you know how Amjad Khan, who played the character of Gabbar, got this role?

Actually, this role was first offered to Danny Denzongpa. But Danny was busy shooting for Dharmatma at that time, due to which he left this film. Then the duo of Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan suggested a new name - Amjad Khan. However, director Ramesh Sippy was initially doubtful whether Amjad would fit into this character.

But when Amjad Khan read the script and spoke the dialogues in his own voice, everyone was surprised. Lines like “Areey O Sambha… Kitne Aadmi The?” were immortalised by his way of speaking. Amjad made Gabbar not just a villain, but a character whose mere presence on screen created both fear and thrill.

Gabbar Singh was no ordinary villain, he was a mental terror, a symbol of evil and Amjad Khan played it with complete honesty. Even today, when Sholay is talked about, Gabbar’s name comes first on the tongue. Salute to Gabbar aka Amjad Khan on completion of 50 years of Sholay, who gave ‘superstardom’ to villain.