There are many attempts by numerous producers and directors
to make a movie as big and as eternal as Sholay
within the landscape of Indian cinema’s panorama; but none have even come near
to making a movie close to Sholay’s
magic. No doubt Indian cinema has made good movies, great movies, classics
movies and cult movies. No doubt that Indian cinema has seen better directors
than Ramesh Sipply who directed Sholay,
and Indian cinema has given us many versatile and talented actors and actresses
better than the star cast of Sholay.
Not to say that the budget today is a constraint – it is not; nor there is a lack
of production values and technical capabilities in making internationally
competitive movies. Everything is better today – experience, expertise,
technology, budget, professionalism, reach, audience aptitude – but since the
release of Sholay in 1975, none of the
better acquired competency has delivered a movie like Sholay. NONE!
What are the reasons? What could be the reasons for such a
phenomenon? I attempted to list them down.
1.
Big Budget
Compared to the best movies produced by prominent production houses made during those days with average budget of INR 1-4 million, Ramesh Sippy - the director of Sholay thought of making a movie with a budget of INR 10 million, which ultimately shot up to more than INR 30 million – nearly 8-10 times more than an average well made movie.
Is there any investor / production house that is ready to put such an 8-10 times scaled up budget on an existing good movie budget for an Indian production? NO!
Compared to the best movies produced by prominent production houses made during those days with average budget of INR 1-4 million, Ramesh Sippy - the director of Sholay thought of making a movie with a budget of INR 10 million, which ultimately shot up to more than INR 30 million – nearly 8-10 times more than an average well made movie.
Is there any investor / production house that is ready to put such an 8-10 times scaled up budget on an existing good movie budget for an Indian production? NO!
2.
Ramesh Sippy
Ramesh Sippy had a vision, a passion to make something really BIG, break all the existing technological benchmarks and make a movie with no compromises at all - whatever it takes!
Is there any Director who does not work under some constraints or the other today? NO!
Ramesh Sippy had a vision, a passion to make something really BIG, break all the existing technological benchmarks and make a movie with no compromises at all - whatever it takes!
Is there any Director who does not work under some constraints or the other today? NO!
3. Father - son / Producer - Director / G.P.Sippy – Ramesh Sippy
The way G.P.Sippy as a father backed his son Ramesh Sippy to go ahead with the vision of making a good movie, no one would do that. Even after the budget shot to 10 times it original estimate, there are no news which says that the father showed any hesitation in what Ramesh Sippy was about to do with Sholay. The father, who himself came with empty pockets from Pakistan after partition, was a confident risk taker and in his career made success touch his feet with the businesses he indulged in. He had that experience of tough times and perspective of overcoming any hurdle if things would not work out for him. The undoubted clout of senior Sippy was instrumental in overcoming many bureaucratic hurdles Sholay faced. Even with all ingredients of Sholay in place, without G.P.Sippy as a father figure backing Ramesh Sippy – Sholay would certainly remain a distant dream.
Are there such father-son duo existing now? And if yes – does the father put all his wealth behind his son’s dream blindly? The easy answer in today’s time is a BIG NO!
The way G.P.Sippy as a father backed his son Ramesh Sippy to go ahead with the vision of making a good movie, no one would do that. Even after the budget shot to 10 times it original estimate, there are no news which says that the father showed any hesitation in what Ramesh Sippy was about to do with Sholay. The father, who himself came with empty pockets from Pakistan after partition, was a confident risk taker and in his career made success touch his feet with the businesses he indulged in. He had that experience of tough times and perspective of overcoming any hurdle if things would not work out for him. The undoubted clout of senior Sippy was instrumental in overcoming many bureaucratic hurdles Sholay faced. Even with all ingredients of Sholay in place, without G.P.Sippy as a father figure backing Ramesh Sippy – Sholay would certainly remain a distant dream.
Are there such father-son duo existing now? And if yes – does the father put all his wealth behind his son’s dream blindly? The easy answer in today’s time is a BIG NO!
4.
Salim-Javed
Salim-Javed, the writer team of Sholay wanted to deliver water-tight scripts and stories. Before they wrote Sholay they held a track record of delivering 8 consecutive hits. They had the cockiness and that flourish to deliver something that always clicked at the box office and delivered hits after hits. At their prime in seventies (1970s) they had even commanded a fee of INR 2 million equal to the cost of medium/small budget movies or more than the fees given to the main lead / star of the movie. Salim-Javed were ambitious and equally partnered in making the movie along with the Directors. They commanded that respect and that respect was given to them.
Is/are there any individual / team of writers (story, screenplay, dialogue) who can deliver quality today and who can stand in front of a production house or director and questions their way of working? NONE!
Salim-Javed, the writer team of Sholay wanted to deliver water-tight scripts and stories. Before they wrote Sholay they held a track record of delivering 8 consecutive hits. They had the cockiness and that flourish to deliver something that always clicked at the box office and delivered hits after hits. At their prime in seventies (1970s) they had even commanded a fee of INR 2 million equal to the cost of medium/small budget movies or more than the fees given to the main lead / star of the movie. Salim-Javed were ambitious and equally partnered in making the movie along with the Directors. They commanded that respect and that respect was given to them.
Is/are there any individual / team of writers (story, screenplay, dialogue) who can deliver quality today and who can stand in front of a production house or director and questions their way of working? NONE!
5. Amjad Khan
Not many people know that Amjad Jakaria (Jayant) Khan’s career in films started when he was just 11 years old in a film called Nazneen, and his debut film as adult was Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973). Thus Sholay was not his first movie. He was a good stage actor – spotted by Javed Akhtar in early sixties and remembered by Salim Khan to cast him for a role that were offered to Premnath earlier, and later - Danny Denzogappa was already signed for the role of Gabbar. But as fate has it – the role was to fall in the lap of Amjad Khan, who were initially backed by Salim-Javed – but their confidence in Amjad fizzled out amidst humors of weak acting, weak voice and awkwardness. But it was Ramesh Sippy’s faith in Amjad Khan – that against all suggestions and recommendations – he persisted with this new guy; even in recording the unforgettable dialogues in Amjad’s sing-song voice. The rest is history!
The only character that created impact and was loved equally by children and elders was Gabbar. Without Amjad Khan – Sholay would not have achieved its cult following!
In today’s industry it would not only be difficult – but impossible to have a character as strong as Gabbar and than later cast that character by a totally new face! IMPOSSIBLE!
Not many people know that Amjad Jakaria (Jayant) Khan’s career in films started when he was just 11 years old in a film called Nazneen, and his debut film as adult was Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973). Thus Sholay was not his first movie. He was a good stage actor – spotted by Javed Akhtar in early sixties and remembered by Salim Khan to cast him for a role that were offered to Premnath earlier, and later - Danny Denzogappa was already signed for the role of Gabbar. But as fate has it – the role was to fall in the lap of Amjad Khan, who were initially backed by Salim-Javed – but their confidence in Amjad fizzled out amidst humors of weak acting, weak voice and awkwardness. But it was Ramesh Sippy’s faith in Amjad Khan – that against all suggestions and recommendations – he persisted with this new guy; even in recording the unforgettable dialogues in Amjad’s sing-song voice. The rest is history!
The only character that created impact and was loved equally by children and elders was Gabbar. Without Amjad Khan – Sholay would not have achieved its cult following!
In today’s industry it would not only be difficult – but impossible to have a character as strong as Gabbar and than later cast that character by a totally new face! IMPOSSIBLE!
6.
Super Multi-Star-cast
Dharmendra had cult status and was a super-star it his own right. Sanjeev Kumar had won two National awards and was an experimental actor of very high standards. Hema Malini had an immense fan following after the mega-hit – Seeta aur Geeta, and Jaya Bhaduri was an established versatile actress with immense talent. And there was an emerging super-star Amitabh Bachchan – who, while signing Sholay had 10 flops and no hit behind him, but by the time Sholay was released – he had turned the page of Indian cinema with three hits – Zanjeer, Deewar and Roti, Kapda aur Makaan.
Where to get a star-cast with that following in today’s day and time?
Dharmendra had cult status and was a super-star it his own right. Sanjeev Kumar had won two National awards and was an experimental actor of very high standards. Hema Malini had an immense fan following after the mega-hit – Seeta aur Geeta, and Jaya Bhaduri was an established versatile actress with immense talent. And there was an emerging super-star Amitabh Bachchan – who, while signing Sholay had 10 flops and no hit behind him, but by the time Sholay was released – he had turned the page of Indian cinema with three hits – Zanjeer, Deewar and Roti, Kapda aur Makaan.
Where to get a star-cast with that following in today’s day and time?
7.
Perfect Casting: That point
in Star’s career graph
As much important it is to mention the super-multi-star cast – it is also very important to state here the point in time the star was placed at that particular juncture in their career when Sholay was released and the type of awe and perception they held in the audience’s psyche. Not only the top stars whom I mentioned earlier – but even smaller roles were finely itched by characters who were popular among Indian audiences – special mention here is of Asrani, Jagdeep, Sachin, A.K.Hangal, Iftekhar, Om Shiv Puri and others. The remaining characters may have become so popular only after release and mega success of Sholay. Also nobody knew that Amitabh Bachchan would emerge as a most loved super-star just at the time of release of Sholay. And a big role for Amjad Khan as Gabbar.
Now which planetary stars can find that perfect timing to have things fall in place with such a wide range of actors so accurately? Possibilities are near ZERO!
As much important it is to mention the super-multi-star cast – it is also very important to state here the point in time the star was placed at that particular juncture in their career when Sholay was released and the type of awe and perception they held in the audience’s psyche. Not only the top stars whom I mentioned earlier – but even smaller roles were finely itched by characters who were popular among Indian audiences – special mention here is of Asrani, Jagdeep, Sachin, A.K.Hangal, Iftekhar, Om Shiv Puri and others. The remaining characters may have become so popular only after release and mega success of Sholay. Also nobody knew that Amitabh Bachchan would emerge as a most loved super-star just at the time of release of Sholay. And a big role for Amjad Khan as Gabbar.
Now which planetary stars can find that perfect timing to have things fall in place with such a wide range of actors so accurately? Possibilities are near ZERO!
8.
Multi-starrer
Would be fair to say that after Mughal-e-Azam which was released in 1960, Sholay was the first multi-starcast movie with mega-stars and huge budget? There were many good movies that were released with various stars and actors – but either they were restricted to at the most three – but then, they did not have a big budget, a big vision like Mughal-e-Azam or Sholay had.
Who would dare assemble a Multi-star cast movie with big budget today, especially when every star wants to hog individual lime light and screen time on their own? NEVER!
Would be fair to say that after Mughal-e-Azam which was released in 1960, Sholay was the first multi-starcast movie with mega-stars and huge budget? There were many good movies that were released with various stars and actors – but either they were restricted to at the most three – but then, they did not have a big budget, a big vision like Mughal-e-Azam or Sholay had.
Who would dare assemble a Multi-star cast movie with big budget today, especially when every star wants to hog individual lime light and screen time on their own? NEVER!
9.
Track-record of Stars
I would just mention here the star-track record of the main-star cast of 3 years leading to release of Sholay to make you understand their star power.
I would just mention here the star-track record of the main-star cast of 3 years leading to release of Sholay to make you understand their star power.
|
|
Movies
released till 1975
|
1975
|
1975
|
1974
|
1973
|
1972
|
|
Dharmendra
|
90
|
Sholay
|
5 Hits –
9 Releases |
3 Hits –
7 Releases |
10 Hits –
11 Releases |
5 Hits –
5 Releases |
|
Sanjeev
Kumar
|
60
|
Sholay
|
5
Hits -
9 Releases |
4
Hits -
10 Releases |
3
Hits -
7 Releases |
3
Hits
6 Releases |
|
Hema Malini
|
42
|
Sholay
|
6 Hits -
8 Releases |
5 Hits -
7 Releases |
4 Hits -
6 Releases |
4 Hits -
6 Releases |
|
Jaya
Bhaduri
|
28
|
Sholay
|
3
Hits -
3 Releases |
2
Hits -
5 Releases |
4
Hits -
5 Releases |
7
Hits -
11 Releases |
|
Amitabh
Bachchan
|
34
|
Sholay
|
6 Hits -
6 Releases |
3 Hits -
6 Releases |
3 Hits -
7 Releases |
0 Hits
6 Releases
|
|
Amjad Khan
|
5
|
Sholay
|
1
Hits –
1
Releases
|
0
Hits –
0
Releases
|
0
Hits –
1
Releases
|
0
Hits –
0
Releases
|
Except the surprise
package of Amjad Khan each star had a great goodwill with Indian audiences.
10.
Understanding the times
–‘70s
The first half of 1970s decade had seen an emergence of the first super-star of Indian cinema Rajesh Khanna, and in 1973 success of angry-young man hero gave birth to a new super-star emerged. The era also saw parallel (art) and commercial cinema running successfully at its peak – with meaningful and popular cinema; both types of cinema were lapped by the audiences. In short it was a golden era where varied types of movies existed and were appreciated.
The complexity of multi-faceted movie industry existing successfully in 1970s has never recurred again.
The first half of 1970s decade had seen an emergence of the first super-star of Indian cinema Rajesh Khanna, and in 1973 success of angry-young man hero gave birth to a new super-star emerged. The era also saw parallel (art) and commercial cinema running successfully at its peak – with meaningful and popular cinema; both types of cinema were lapped by the audiences. In short it was a golden era where varied types of movies existed and were appreciated.
The complexity of multi-faceted movie industry existing successfully in 1970s has never recurred again.
11. Indian chord – rural and urban
Sholay portrayed a perfect mix of urban characters - in Jai and Veeru - placed in rural setting. It was a blend of modernity thrown in right proportion to appeal rural mindsets; and there was no high-handedness of city-folks except the urban clothing that Jai and Veeru wear. Sholay appealed and caught the imagination of rural India where they could identify with most of the characters and of people of cities who romanticized of rural hinterlands. It had also a few modern forward thinking concepts of widow remarriage and communal harmony thrown in.
Can we again bring out a movie with the essence of what appeals to rural India without overloading them with urban clichés? I presume NO!
Sholay portrayed a perfect mix of urban characters - in Jai and Veeru - placed in rural setting. It was a blend of modernity thrown in right proportion to appeal rural mindsets; and there was no high-handedness of city-folks except the urban clothing that Jai and Veeru wear. Sholay appealed and caught the imagination of rural India where they could identify with most of the characters and of people of cities who romanticized of rural hinterlands. It had also a few modern forward thinking concepts of widow remarriage and communal harmony thrown in.
Can we again bring out a movie with the essence of what appeals to rural India without overloading them with urban clichés? I presume NO!
12.
Characters
It was the success of Sholay that made numerous characters immortal and hard to forget. They became household names and are still remembered till date. Gabbar Singh, Thakore, Jai, Veeru, Basanti, Kalia, Sambha, Surma Bhopali, Ramlal, Jailor, Rahim chacha (Imaam Saheb) were well crafted, well thought out and well written characters by Salim-Javed. Enough effort was put to make each character stand out on its own in terms of scope and impact it had on film going audiences. No other film since then has seen their characters being so popular amongst Indian folks. The closest one came were with Satya and Lagaan – when some characters did became popular for a short time.
Today, no writers are there to script such characters now, nor directors who want to invest in other characters with such commitment and blend them finely with the story.
It was the success of Sholay that made numerous characters immortal and hard to forget. They became household names and are still remembered till date. Gabbar Singh, Thakore, Jai, Veeru, Basanti, Kalia, Sambha, Surma Bhopali, Ramlal, Jailor, Rahim chacha (Imaam Saheb) were well crafted, well thought out and well written characters by Salim-Javed. Enough effort was put to make each character stand out on its own in terms of scope and impact it had on film going audiences. No other film since then has seen their characters being so popular amongst Indian folks. The closest one came were with Satya and Lagaan – when some characters did became popular for a short time.
Today, no writers are there to script such characters now, nor directors who want to invest in other characters with such commitment and blend them finely with the story.
13.
Dialogues
Immortality of dialogues of Sholay is itself a proof of its huge success. “Kitne Aadmi The?” “Tera Kya Hoga Kaalia?” and many more. The whole theatre used to speak the dialogues of the film while watching the movie. The marriage functions and parties used to play Sholay dialogues again and again, day in and day out. Hats off to Salim-Javed, and I think mainly Javed Akhtar to write such simple proverbial dialogues that are still itched in the mindset of every Indian.
The profoundness of using simplicity, decency yet appealing dialogue writing skills is missing in today’s writers – especially when some directors pen the dialogues on their own instead of relying on specialists.
Immortality of dialogues of Sholay is itself a proof of its huge success. “Kitne Aadmi The?” “Tera Kya Hoga Kaalia?” and many more. The whole theatre used to speak the dialogues of the film while watching the movie. The marriage functions and parties used to play Sholay dialogues again and again, day in and day out. Hats off to Salim-Javed, and I think mainly Javed Akhtar to write such simple proverbial dialogues that are still itched in the mindset of every Indian.
The profoundness of using simplicity, decency yet appealing dialogue writing skills is missing in today’s writers – especially when some directors pen the dialogues on their own instead of relying on specialists.
14.
Story
The best of raw Hollywood westerns era was 1960s (Magnificient Seven, Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, The Good, Bad and Ugly; and even Mackenna’s Gold which was a big success in India) and those movies were released in India in early 1970s, and that exposure to westerns was a germ for Sholay. Though Sholay was copied from numerous movies – Seven Samuria being at the center of its theme. It clicked well with Indian sensibilities – a revenge drama, immortal friendship, a dreaded villain with right amount of action, comedy and drama added to it. Due to its rural backdrop Sholay’s reach and identification was in rural hinterlands of India.
Bollywood has not shown that tenacity to imitate Hollywood with such brilliant adaptation likes the westerns or any such genre.
The best of raw Hollywood westerns era was 1960s (Magnificient Seven, Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, The Good, Bad and Ugly; and even Mackenna’s Gold which was a big success in India) and those movies were released in India in early 1970s, and that exposure to westerns was a germ for Sholay. Though Sholay was copied from numerous movies – Seven Samuria being at the center of its theme. It clicked well with Indian sensibilities – a revenge drama, immortal friendship, a dreaded villain with right amount of action, comedy and drama added to it. Due to its rural backdrop Sholay’s reach and identification was in rural hinterlands of India.
Bollywood has not shown that tenacity to imitate Hollywood with such brilliant adaptation likes the westerns or any such genre.
15.
Script/Screenplay
Salim-Javed had given many hits before they gave a four line idea for Sholay to G.P.Sippy and Ramesh Sippy. Even though the initial idea was rejected, Ramesh Sippy hired them to develop the idea further. It is heard that the duo took one month to flesh out the story, characters, traits, etc. with names. Salim-Javed also worked on the water-tight and compact script and screenplay. As acknowledged by Ramesh Sippy, he as Director stuck to what Salim-Javed had written in the script/ screenplay.
Nor there are writers who can understand the visual imaginary which Salim-Javed did nor today we find writers who understand script/ screenplay; nor there are directors who go totally by the writers.
Salim-Javed had given many hits before they gave a four line idea for Sholay to G.P.Sippy and Ramesh Sippy. Even though the initial idea was rejected, Ramesh Sippy hired them to develop the idea further. It is heard that the duo took one month to flesh out the story, characters, traits, etc. with names. Salim-Javed also worked on the water-tight and compact script and screenplay. As acknowledged by Ramesh Sippy, he as Director stuck to what Salim-Javed had written in the script/ screenplay.
Nor there are writers who can understand the visual imaginary which Salim-Javed did nor today we find writers who understand script/ screenplay; nor there are directors who go totally by the writers.
16. Use of Technique and Technology
Sholay had many first to its name, and it breached the limits of existing technology of 1970s cinema – combination of 70 mm[i] and stereo phonic sound was the key in experiencing the real feel of seeing Sholay on a vast canvas. Never Indian cinemagoer had seen something like this especially with beautifully shot frames. Ramesh Sippy had to do away with Indian fight masters and invite Hollywood experts to orchestrate the fight sequences. The cinematography, editing and music were of top notch quality.
Surely there are movies made in India now with international technique and standards, but no movie has ever given the same feel of experience as Sholay with outstanding techniques and technologies – which was the first of its kind in Indian cinema.
Sholay had many first to its name, and it breached the limits of existing technology of 1970s cinema – combination of 70 mm[i] and stereo phonic sound was the key in experiencing the real feel of seeing Sholay on a vast canvas. Never Indian cinemagoer had seen something like this especially with beautifully shot frames. Ramesh Sippy had to do away with Indian fight masters and invite Hollywood experts to orchestrate the fight sequences. The cinematography, editing and music were of top notch quality.
Surely there are movies made in India now with international technique and standards, but no movie has ever given the same feel of experience as Sholay with outstanding techniques and technologies – which was the first of its kind in Indian cinema.
17.
Time taken to shoot
Though the initial time-line to shoot Sholay was decided for six months, the shooting schedule went on for nearly two years. There were many reasons due to star dates, scheduling problems, location issues, print, permissions so on and so forth but the thought process behind this delay was Ramesh Sippy wanted to do everything without any compromise. And during no time of this entire exercise the producer G.P.Sippy ever raised an alarm of timely completion of overshot budget.
Today with corporations ruling the roost – it is next to impossible to spill the planned shooting schedule and have such extravagant leverage in time and budget.
Though the initial time-line to shoot Sholay was decided for six months, the shooting schedule went on for nearly two years. There were many reasons due to star dates, scheduling problems, location issues, print, permissions so on and so forth but the thought process behind this delay was Ramesh Sippy wanted to do everything without any compromise. And during no time of this entire exercise the producer G.P.Sippy ever raised an alarm of timely completion of overshot budget.
Today with corporations ruling the roost – it is next to impossible to spill the planned shooting schedule and have such extravagant leverage in time and budget.
18.
Before the advent of TV,
cable, internet
Cinema going experience was unique in those days – there were no other forms of entertainment that was readily available. Though there was theatre, circus, and lots of Indian festivities to enjoy – but cinema remained throughout the year movie going experience. There was also no advent of television in Indian households leave alone cable, video or internet. And when Sholay came with its utter blaze – it was lapped again and again by all movie going audiences in India with thousands of people claiming to have seen Sholay more than hundred times. That era would never ever come back to cinema going audiences!
Today with easy accessibility to a torrent print of any movie – and its accessible watch ability even on a small hand held device – makes the whole experience of BIG screen not so exciting in terms of investing time and money to something that is not so good.
Cinema going experience was unique in those days – there were no other forms of entertainment that was readily available. Though there was theatre, circus, and lots of Indian festivities to enjoy – but cinema remained throughout the year movie going experience. There was also no advent of television in Indian households leave alone cable, video or internet. And when Sholay came with its utter blaze – it was lapped again and again by all movie going audiences in India with thousands of people claiming to have seen Sholay more than hundred times. That era would never ever come back to cinema going audiences!
Today with easy accessibility to a torrent print of any movie – and its accessible watch ability even on a small hand held device – makes the whole experience of BIG screen not so exciting in terms of investing time and money to something that is not so good.
19. No compromise authority
The first principle laid down by Ramesh Sippy to the cast and crew while starting the shoot was “NO compromises” and Ramesh Sippy as captain of the ship held that principle till the film was released. As mentioned earlier this principle did cost the film overshot in time and budget, the final results were more than satisfactory to everyone involved.
In today’s time, with the tight schedule and budget – practically “no compromise authority” is a bit difficult to achieve. Nonetheless, there are directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali who have set a benchmark in not compromising in the visual frame of shot; but they too bow down to the pressures of time and budgets.
The first principle laid down by Ramesh Sippy to the cast and crew while starting the shoot was “NO compromises” and Ramesh Sippy as captain of the ship held that principle till the film was released. As mentioned earlier this principle did cost the film overshot in time and budget, the final results were more than satisfactory to everyone involved.
In today’s time, with the tight schedule and budget – practically “no compromise authority” is a bit difficult to achieve. Nonetheless, there are directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali who have set a benchmark in not compromising in the visual frame of shot; but they too bow down to the pressures of time and budgets.
20.
Ahead of time
Sholay was regarded a film much ahead of its time in every aspect of film making. It still remains a very watchable film and does not look faded in the identification with characters. The full credit of it goes to Ramesh Sippy for this. Though Salim-Javed penned down many nearly twenty films it was just Sholay that was seen as a movie much ahead of its time – an evergreen movie; and surely would remain so for many more decades or centuries to come.
Sholay was regarded a film much ahead of its time in every aspect of film making. It still remains a very watchable film and does not look faded in the identification with characters. The full credit of it goes to Ramesh Sippy for this. Though Salim-Javed penned down many nearly twenty films it was just Sholay that was seen as a movie much ahead of its time – an evergreen movie; and surely would remain so for many more decades or centuries to come.
Today’s
industry lacks that vision of being much ahead of its time – or there are no
avenues to make a path breaking cinema.
FINAL CHECKLIST TO MAKE A MOVIE LIKE SHOLAY
Here is a checklist of things one should do
RIGHT to make a movie like Sholay:
1.
No restriction on BUDGET
2.
Director with a vision
3.
Producer who backs the Director fully
4.
Expert writer like Salim-Javed
5.
Dreadful character (like Gabbar) played so
affably that accepted by cross section of audience
6.
Assembly of super star cast
7.
Perfect Casting - Picking up the right star cast
at the right time of their career
8.
Multi-starrer movie
9.
Track record of each star and their goodwill
with audiences
10.
Understanding the times cinema lives in
11.
Movie that has got both urban and rural mass
appeal
12.
Well itched out characters
13.
Immortal dialogues
14.
A four line idea depicted as a great story
15.
Truthfulness to the script/ screenplay
16.
Best use of latest technique and technology
17.
No restriction on over-shooting time and budget
18. Before the advent of new era – This is a null/void
point as nobody would knows this….!
19.
No compromise on anything
20.
Vision much ahead of time
If your movie or cinema has 19 YES in the checklist (except
point 18) than there are chances that you would end up with a movie close to
what Sholay did.
I tried to compare this checklist with another classic like
Mughal-e-Azam and it checks YES on most criterions! A sure recipe of successful
movie like Sholay!
No comments:
Post a Comment