Renowned actor Ram Sethi, best known for his role as a constable in the iconic film ‘Zanjeer,’ recently shared intriguing insights into the casting process of the movie and how Amitabh Bachchan ultimately landed the lead role. Directed by Prakash Mehra, ‘Zanjeer’ holds a significant place in Indian cinema history.
Ram Sethi, in a recent interview, reminisced about the initial choices made for the film’s protagonist and shed light on the series of events that led to Amitabh Bachchan assuming the iconic role. According to Sethi, Dharmendra was the first actor considered for the role in 1973. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the opportunity passed to other actors, including Dev Anand and Raaj Kumar, before eventually reaching Amitabh Bachchan. Sethi revealed that Prakash Mehra, the film’s director, watched Amitabh’s performance in ‘Bombay To Goa’ and was impressed, leading him to offer Bachchan the lead role in ‘Zanjeer.’
‘Zanjeer’ is an action crime film directed and produced by Prakash Mehra, with a screenplay by the renowned duo Salim-Javed. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Pran, Ajit Khan, Bindu, and Ram Sethi himself, among others. Amitabh’s portrayal of Inspector Vijay Khanna in the film earned him immense popularity and acclaim. Sethi played the role of a constable, adding to the film’s memorable ensemble.
Ram Sethi Reveals the Fascinating Journey of ‘Zanjeer’: From Dharmendra and Dev Anand to Raaj Kumar and Finally Amitabh Bachchan
Reflecting on the film’s origins, Ram Sethi explained, “Salim-Javed initially sold the script of ‘Zanjeer’ to Dharmendra. However, due to his busy schedule, the script remained unutilized. Prakash Mehra, upon receiving the script, was instantly captivated by it and decided to pursue the project. While they awaited Dharmendra’s availability, Mehra approached Dev Anand, who expressed interest in the script but suggested incorporating songs, which did not align with the character’s portrayal. Realising this, Mehra reached out to Raaj Kumar, who raised concerns about the extended screen time of the role eventually played by the legendary Pran. Understanding that Raaj Kumar would not be suitable for the film, the team continued their search for the right actor, and someone recommended the budding talent, Amitabh Bachchan. Observing Amitabh’s impressive performance in the film ‘Bombay To Goa,’ Mehra was convinced of his potential, and thus, the journey of ‘Zanjeer’ commenced.”
Following ‘Zanjeer,’ Amitabh Bachchan went on to star in numerous iconic films, including ‘Deewaar,’ ‘Sholay,’ ‘Amar Akbar Anthony,’ ‘Don,’ ‘Trishul,’ ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander,’ ‘Kaala Patthar,’ ‘Kaalia,’ ‘Naseeb,’ ‘Namak Halaal,’ ‘Coolie,’ ‘Namak Haraam,’ ‘Abhimaan,’ ‘Mili,’ ‘Silsila,’ ‘Dostana,’ ‘Shakti,’ ‘Shahenshah,’ ‘Agneepath,’ and many more. His versatility and talent captivated audiences across decades. Additionally, he showcased his acting prowess in critically acclaimed films like ‘Mohabbatein,’ ‘Baghban,’ ‘Black,’ ‘Sarkar,’ ‘Paa,’ ‘Gulabo Sitabo,’ ‘Jhund,’ ‘Goodbye,’ and ‘Uunchai.’ Amitabh is currently working on exciting projects, including ‘Project K,’ a bilingual film starring Deepika Padukone and Prabhas, directed by Nag Ashwin. He is also set to appear in Ribhu Dasgupta’s upcoming courtroom drama, ‘Section 84.’
Ram Sethi’s revelations provide a fascinating glimpse into the dynamic casting process behind ‘Zanjeer’ and the chain of events that ultimately shaped the film’s legacy. The journey from considering Dharmendra and other prominent actors to discovering the exceptional talent of Amitabh Bachchan demonstrates the unpredictable nature of the film industry and the remarkable turns that shape cinematic history.
Unveiling the Remarkable Transformation: ‘Zanjeer’ Soaring from Dharmendra to Dev Anand, Raaj Kumar, and Amitabh Bachchan
In a recent interview, Ram Sethi reminisced about the initial choices made for the film’s protagonist, shedding light on the series of events that led to Amitabh Bachchan assuming the iconic role. According to Sethi, back in 1973, Dharmendra was the first actor considered for the role. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the opportunity passed to other actors, including Dev Anand and Raaj Kumar, before eventually reaching Amitabh Bachchan. Sethi revealed that Prakash Mehra, the film’s director, happened to watch Amitabh’s performance in ‘Bombay To Goa’ and was immensely impressed. This prompted Mehra to offer Bachchan the lead role in ‘Zanjeer.’
Released in 1973, ‘Zanjeer’ is an action crime film directed and produced by Prakash Mehra, with a screenplay penned by the renowned duo Salim-Javed. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Pran, Ajit Khan, Bindu, and Ram Sethi himself, among others. Amitabh’s portrayal of Inspector Vijay Khanna in the film earned him immense popularity and critical acclaim. Sethi played the role of a constable, adding to the film’s memorable ensemble.
Reflecting on the film’s origins, Ram Sethi explained, “Salim-Javed initially sold the script of ‘Zanjeer’ to Dharmendra. However, due to his busy schedule, the script remained unutilized. Prakash Mehra, upon receiving the script, was instantly captivated by it and decided to pursue the project. While they awaited Dharmendra’s availability, Mehra approached Dev Anand, who expressed interest in the script but suggested incorporating songs, which did not align with the character’s portrayal. Realizing this, Mehra reached out to Raaj Kumar, who raised concerns about the extended screen time of the role eventually played by the legendary Pran. Understanding that Raaj Kumar would not be suitable for the film, the team continued their search for the right actor, and someone recommended the budding talent, Amitabh Bachchan. Observing Amitabh’s impressive performance in the film ‘Bombay To Goa,’ Mehra was convinced of his potential, and thus, the journey of ‘Zanjeer’ commenced.”
