The iconic 1973 film Zanjeer, which catapulted Amitabh Bachchan to superstardom, was almost a Dharmendra film. In a fascinating twist of Bollywood history, veteran actor Dharmendra was the first to recognize the potential of the script and even purchased it from writer Salim Khan for a mere Rs 2,500.
The Genesis of a Classic
In the early 1970s, Dharmendra was at the peak of his career, seamlessly balancing commercial action films with nuanced roles in cinema by legends like Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It was during this period that Salim Khan, before his legendary partnership with Javed Akhtar was fully formed, approached the actor with a raw idea. The concept, inspired by Salim's own father's experiences as a police officer in the Chambal ravines, deeply impressed Dharmendra.
He saw its potential and immediately acquired the rights. The initial plan was for Dharmendra to play the lead role of Inspector Vijay Khanna, with his brother, Ajit, co-producing the film alongside director Prakash Mehra.
The Dramatic Exit That Changed Bollywood
However, the project hit an unexpected and personal roadblock. According to accounts, including one from his son Bobby Deol, a serious dispute arose between a family member and director Prakash Mehra. This conflict escalated to a point where a cousin sister came to Dharmendra's house and delivered a chilling ultimatum.
She made him take a solemn vow, declaring, ‘Aapko meri kasam, agar aapne yeh film ki toh aap meri dead body dekhoge’ (Swear on me, if you do this film, you’ll see my dead body). Faced with this intense emotional pressure, Dharmendra had no choice but to honor the vow and bow out of the film he had initially championed.
Amitabh Bachchan: The Last Choice Who Became a Legend
Dharmendra's exit sent the film into a tailspin. It was subsequently offered to the thespian Dilip Kumar, who also passed on the opportunity. As writer Javed Akhtar later confirmed, Amitabh Bachchan was not the first, but the last choice for the role that would define the 'Angry Young Man' archetype in Indian cinema.
When Zanjeer finally released with Bachchan in the lead, alongside Pran and Jaya Bachchan, it became a monumental hit. The film didn't just succeed; it fundamentally altered the trajectory of Amitabh Bachchan's career, making him a megastar overnight. This pivotal moment in Bollywood history serves as a reminder of how fate and personal circumstances can intertwine to create cinematic legend.
