New Sholay - Ram Gopal Varma

In the new Sholay, that only Ram Gopal Verma can attempt to remake, while Amitabh Bachchan plays Gabar, there’s Ajay Devgan as Veeru.

One of Indian cinema’s most enduring classics, Sholay remains one of the most exciting films of all times. Little surprise that Ram Gopal Varma is remaking this cult film. Here’s an exclusive look at the new Jai played by newcomer Prashant Raj.

Here’s a look at another character from RGV’s contemporary version of Sholay. Sushmita Sen steps into Jaya Bachchan’s shoes. The former Miss Universe plays a widow by the name of Durga, a role which Jaya immortalised as Radha.

We all know Ram Gopal Verma is making a remake of the greatest hit on Indian cinema scene, Sholay. Now here is the new starcast which has finally been announced in full:

Gabbar Singh:

The role played by Amjad Khan in the original, is like we all know will be played by Amitabh Bacchan himself this time around. Infact by bigB’s own admission, he wanted to play the role of Gabbar even in the original.

Thakur Baldev Singh(Thakur):

The role was played by Sanjeev Kumar in the original. The new one will be played by South Superstar and a guy known for his hard hitting performances, MohanLal. Its even learnt that the price money he is offering this time to catch Gabbar has been hiked from 50 thousand in the original to 8laks this time around.

Veeru:

The adorable and comical Dharmendra’s role this time is being played by the rather intense Ajay Devgan. ahmm can’t imagine veeru like jokes this time around so goodbye to that.

Jai:

Probably the most shocking role assignment. The role played by the BIg B is now going to be played by a rank newcomer in Prashant Raj Sachdev. A model by profession, this role was earlier assigned to Mohit Ahlawat, another model. Well, strange choice for an important role, and by the looks of the guy, i am not too sure i am liking this one bit.

Radha(the widow):

The role played by Amitabhs actual wife, Jaya Bahaduri, is now being played by Sushmita Sen. Its also learnt that unlike the original, where she was rather quiet and reserved, Sushmita Sen’s role will not be as bland.

Basanti:

The churby, talkative Basanti, the tange wali, a role immortalized in Indian cinema history by Hema Malini will now be played by surprize surprize(ahh ok half the world know by now) Nisha Kothari. Known fr her skimpy clothes and on screen kisses with Emraan Hashmi rather than acting skills, one seriously questions the judgement of selecting her for the role. While its believed that the character of Basanti(Ghunguru) as she will be known in new Sholay is quite opposite to old Basanti with her bein rather bold(ahmm can she be anything else) She will not be riding a tanga but rather a Rickshaw this time(called Laila) and umm she happens to be only women rickshaw puller in whole Mumbai.

Helen:

The role played by Helen and the famous belle dance will now be done by Urmila with she doing “Mehbooba o Mehbooba”.

Soorma Bhopali:

The unmistakable role of Soorma Bhopali done by Jagdeep in the original will now be done by Rajpal Yadav. Probably the most closest looking choice this.

Angrez Jailer:

“Hum Angrez zamane ke Jailer hain” Asrani’s super role is all set to be done by Boman Irani in the remake. ahmm.. this could be fun.

Sambha:

The famous sambha’s dialogues will now be spoken by Sushant Singh, the role originally played by MacMohan. (no match, even before seeing the movie)

Thats about it as far as major star cast goes. On the music side; Asha Bhosle, who was originally supposed to sing the famous track ‘Mehbooba O Mehbooba’, the original song being sung by her late husband R D Burman, has been replaced by Sunidhi Chauhan, Amitabh Bachchan will pitch in a few lines too. Earlier Himesh Reshammiya was to compose a different special remixed version of the original number for the film, however things seem to have changed and Ganesh Hegde roped in, because Himesh is quite busy with his schedule.

Ram Gopal Varma’s Sholay has had to deal with several controversies, firstly everybody’s negative reaction to him wanting to recreate a classic like Sholay and secondly the original makers, the Sippys legal lawsuit on him. Nonetheless Varma has braved all this and is still keen to make his own version of Sholay. Of course Varma has had to change several things from the original, like the names of his characters, settings and even the premise of the story, but all this has not deterred him. He will be producing the film too under his own banner and has roped in Amitabh Bachchan as Gabbar Singh, Ajay Devgan as Veeru, Prashant Raj as Jai, Mohanlal as Inspector Ranveer, Sushmita Sen as Devi, Nisha Kothari as Ghungroo and also Urmila Matondkar and Abhishek Bachchan in special appearances.

Virendra Chavan aka Veeru (Ajay Devgan) and Jai Ranade (Prashant Raj) grew up in Latur together. The two of them were like brothers and both wanted to be rich and successful quickly. Veeru was the older of the two and was like a teacher to young Jai, he was also fiercely protective about Jai. On the other hand Jai always looked up to Veeru for guidance and both were fiercely loyal to each other. Veeru worked as a bodyguard for a local politician Sharad Patil. Unfortunately the local politician Sharad Patil was also running several illegal scams on the side and when he was exposed he went to jail leaving Veeru with no job. With no hope of earning lots of money quickly in Latur, the boys decided to come to the land of dreams, Mumbai. However these two boys Veeru and Jai were not like the thousands who come to Mumbai to make it big, these two had something more, they were here to make Mumbai theirs.

Veeru and Jai knew only a few people in Mumbai and one of them was bar owner Soorma (Rajpal Yadav) who then introduced them to Shambhul Seth, a criminal with several illegal side businesses and also who had underworld connections. Veeru and Jai began to do small con jobs for Shambhul Seth and they were very good at what they did. On one occasion after a con job they had to deal with Inspector Ranveer (Mohanlal) who had been on Shambhul’s criminal tail for a long time. However inspector Ranveer knew that Veeru and Jai were not hardcore criminals but petty thieves who were looking to make a quick buck. After exposing Shambhul’s criminal activities to both the boys he appealed to them to help him in his mission to capture Shambhul and both of them promised to help him. In his endeavor to capture Shambhul Seth, inspector Ranveer was faced with a life threatening situation. It was at this time that Veeru and Jai came to his rescue and saved his life by killing Shambhul.

Veeru and Jai went to jail for their association with a criminal but inspector Ranveer never forgot their valor and effort to save him. And one day when Inspector Ranveer needed help again to capture notorious criminal Gabbar Singh (Amitabh Bachchan), he thought of the two boys Veeru and Jai. However Inspector Ranveer had some personal scores to settle with Gabbar Singh hence he could not use the help of the police and nor did he want to be associated with the underworld. Hence he decided to take the help of these two extremely able boys Veeru and Jai. A new episode would now begin in the lives of Veeru and Jai and a whole new chase and excitement would follow.

One of the greatest hits of Indian movie history ‘SHOLAY’ BY GP Sippy is going to be screened again. Director Ram Gopal Verma ; well known for his experimental works is taking the risk of bringing back the spark & tragedy of the ancient one. Facing injunction from the producer of the film GP Sippy’s grandson Sascha, the remake will be named ‘Ram Gopal Varma Ke Sholay’, instead of using the original title.

Himesh Reshammiya might be opting out as the composer. Ganesh Hegde (yes, the choreographer) has composed the new Mehbooba O Mehbooba track, and Sunidhi Chauhan has taken over vocal duties from Asha Bhosle — with Bachchan himself apparently chipping in from time to time.

Nisha Kothari quite a new face; will play Hema Malini’s character Basanti and Shushmita Sen will essay the role portrayed by Jaya Bachchan.Model Katrina Kaif was first choice of Ramu for this role,lately she was replaced.However, their names and settings would be different. The original film had a rural background while Ramu’s movie is based in Mumbai.Basanti will be Ghunghroo in RGV’s version and will ride a autorickshaw and not ‘tanga’. The autorickshaw will be called Laila while Hema Malini’s horse was called ‘Dhanno’,who became equally famous like the Basanti character in the original.Sen’s character will be called Devi while Jaya was Radha,the widowed daughter-in-law of Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar). Sen is the widowed sister-in-law of Inspector Ranbeer (Mohan Lal).In the original, Basanti and Radha have never met. But, in Ramu’s film, both women are best of friends.Giving the character sketches of the two women, Varma’s spokesman said Ghungroo is Mumbai city’s only woman rickshaw driver. She calls her vehicle ‘Laila’ who is her best friend and confidante. She often solves a dilemma by voicing it to Laila.Ghungroo lives adjacent to Inspector Ranbeer’s house with her mother who is an agressive,hard nosed fisherwoman,locally known as Gangu Mummy. Her father who himself was rickshaw driver has lost his leg in an accident.She spends most of her money she earns, into doing up the interior of her rickshaw. With all the accessories it has accumulated so far, it resembles a room rather than a rickshaw. A large image of Durga is stickered to the back window of the rickshaw.Devi’s happiness proved to be shortlived as just few months after her marriage to Ranbeer’s brother,the inspector’s entire family is massacred by a ruthless gangster (Gabbar played by Amitabh Bachchan).Devi who is a trained nurse runs a clinic and understands Ranbeer’s need to take revenge on the gangster but she feels he is very impractical in expecting someone else especially two seemingly good for nothing nobodies to take his war as their own.

Ramu said one of the two men (Jai played by Mohit Alawat) is drawn to her stoic dignity and silent strength. Her focus on things makes him see purpose. He is awed with her larger than life perspective towards life and her ability to see positiveness in most of the negative of things. The character of Viru has been asigned to Ajay Devgan.The first schedule of the film shooting is already complete.

As for the role of Thakur that was immortalised in the original film by Sanjeev Kumar,Varma has cast Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who plays vengeance-seeking Inspector Ranbeer whose entire family was wiped out by Gabbar.

Abhishek Bachchan will play a cameo in ‘Sholay’ remake by Ram Gopal Varma. As per reports, Jr. Bachchan will be seen dancing with Urmila Matondkar in the chartbuster ‘Mehbooba o mehbooba’. Abhishek’s role was originally played by Jalal Agha with Helen. To be remembered here, Abhishek was initially offered the role of Veeru; however he refused the role because of his date problem. But after listening to the number, remixed by Ganesh Hedge, Abhishek himself approached Ram Gopal Varma to perform in the song.

Get set for a clash of titans when Mohanlal and Amitabh Bachchan come face to face in Ramgopal Varma Ke Sholay. As for Sushmita Sen cast opposite Mohit Ahlawat and Nisha Kothari opposite Ajay Devgan - well, what can we say, let’s just hope Varma knows what he’s doing!

Situations are different; songs are different then how can it be that the movie will remain the same. Yes, Rgv’s Sholay is not Sippy’s Sholay. The only song common is Mehbooba Mehbooba. No holi song and no song before the king gabbar will find place in RGV’s Sholay. “In fact,” reveals Ramu, “I decided to retain Mehbooba only because I liked track so much that I had to have it in my film. All the other songs in my film are originals. And for the first time in my cinema I’ve got a group of composers from Bappi Lahiri to Ganesh Hegde to Amar Mohile doing one song each. Every composer has been asked prepare one track each. See, all the songs in Sholay were terribly situational. But my situations will largely be totally different. I want every composer to come up with his best possible music.” The list is not yet over Vishal Bharadwaj has also been invited to do one moody bluesy track for the movie.

That was about songs; even the characters share a much more complex and real relationship with each other. Ramu provides a vivid peek. “The two female protagonists are two different people from the way they were conceived in the earlier film. Also the bum-chum relationship between my Jai (Prashant Raj) and my Veeru (Ajay Devgan) has been entirely changed. They’re no longer pals, but more like the mentor and his pupil. Ajay and Prashant share a guru-shishya relationship.” That makes sense, considering the age difference between the two actors. “No. From the start my Veeru and Jai were conceived as a senior and junior member of the partnership.” Ramu has been shooting with his Veeru and Jai and he’s all praise for his new discovery. “Prashant Raj is superb. Getting him to play Jai has been the best decision I made on Sholay after getting Mr Bachchan to play Gabbar,” says Mr Bachchan.

Ram Gopal Varma has been frozen to death realizing that his secretive shots from the song ‘Mehbooba’ featuring Urmila have leaked on the World Wide Web. “I haven’t given out any pictures. In fact, I don’t intend to show the song in my promos. So it has to be images taken on a mobile camera during the shoot (at Karjat),” Varma said.

Well might be possible…But to have a look at one of these pics, it actually doesn’t look like a photo taken from a mobile. What say guys?

There’s a new and absolutely irreversible mutual -admiration club brewing between Ram Gopal Varma and Sushmita Sen on the sets of Sholay.

So taken up is the prolific director with Sushmita’s performance as the widow Devi (The role that Jaya Bachchan played in the original Sholay) that he intends to cast her again as soon as he finds the right vehicle for her.

Says Ramu, “I always knew Sushmita was a superb actress. She has immense intelligence and she understands the medium fully. Now directing her I feel she has brought to the widow’s role the kind of quiet wisdom and sensitivity which I’ve never seen before. Sushmita’s scenes with her screen brother-in-law Mohanlal are among the highlights of Sholay. So far she has mostly played talkative characters. But Sholay prove silences are Sushmita’s forte.”

Sushmita is equally enthused by Ramu’s work-modalities. “It’s a dream-come-true for me. Working with him is like finally being directed. I just love that man’s creative energy. Ramu is one director I’ve waited to work with him. I’ve pestered him repeatedly to work together. Even when I was doing Vaastu Shastra for his production house I told Ramu that’s not what I wanted. I wanted to be directed by him. Now I finally have a chance to be directed by him in Sholay. I could write a book on the way Ramu deals with actors. It’s amazing. He has a unit of hundreds of people and he knows only one guy’s name on the set. That’s how focused he is. That one guy has to know exactly what Ramu wants from all the others on the set.”

And now Ramu is looking for the first opportunity to cast Sushmita again. “The problem is that she can’t be cast in any ordinary role.”