Shocking Revelation: Sholay Cast Fees Exposed – Dharmendra’s Rs 150,000 and Surprising Payouts for Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, and Jaya Bachchan
A Closer Look at Sholay’s Cast Remuneration: Dharmendra Tops the Chart
The 1975 cinematic classic "Sholay," directed by Ramesh Sippy, has etched its place in Bollywood history with its memorable characters and gripping storyline. Despite Amitabh Bachchan’s enduring fame, he was not the highest-paid star in the ensemble cast. Dharmendra led the earnings list with a fee of Rs 1.5 lakhs, followed by Sanjeev Kumar, who earned Rs 1.25 lakhs for his role as Thakur. Amitabh Bachchan received approximately Rs 1 lakh for portraying the iconic character of Jai.
The notorious Gabbar Singh, played by Amjad Khan, earned Rs 50,000, highlighting the gender pay disparity that existed then. Hema Malini, who portrayed the spirited Basanti, earned Rs 75,000, while Jaya Bachchan, credited as Jaya Bhaduri, garnered Rs 35,000. In contrast, Govardhan Asrani’s comedic role earned him Rs 15,000.
"Sholay" was made on a budget of Rs 3 crores and faced a slow start at the box office following its release on August 15, 1975. Overcoming initial setbacks and mandatory cuts by the Central Board of Film Certification due to violence, the film ultimately achieved unprecedented success. With a net collection of Rs 15 crores in India and a worldwide gross of Rs 50 crores, it became a sleeper hit, running for over five years at Mumbai’s Minerva Theatre.
Originally, neither Amitabh Bachchan nor Amjad Khan were the filmmakers’ first choices for their roles—Shatrughan Sinha and Danny Denzongpa were initially considered but opted out due to scheduling conflicts. Despite its challenges, "Sholay" broke records and continues to captivate audiences, cementing its status as a timeless epic in Indian cinema.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/entertainment/sholay-cast-fees-dharmendra-got-rs-150000-while-amitabh-bachchan-hema-malini-jaya-bachchan-got-less-who-was-paid-least-among-them-7628665/
Category : Entertainment,Amitabh Bachchan,Dharmendra,Hema Malini,jaya bhaduri,Sholay
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Publish Date: 2025-02-20 14:34:00
