In the annals of Bollywood, few stories are as intriguing as the journey of the film Zanjeer (1973) — a film whose very concept was bought by one star, passed over because of a vow, and ultimately catapulted another actor into superstardom. Here’s the full story.
The Purchase: Dharmendra’s Bet
Veteran actor Dharmendra was approached by the writer Salim Khan with the treatment for Zanjeer. According to reports, Dharmendra was so impressed with the idea that he paid a sum (reported in news as ₹2,500) to secure the story rights.
Some other sources mention a higher figure of ₹17,500. Regardless of the exact figure, it was a modest outlay even in those times for what became a landmark film.
The Vow That Changed Everything
At one stage, Dharmendra was set to star in Zanjeer under director Prakash Mehra. But a family member — a cousin-sister — intervened, telling him: “If you do this film, you’ll see my dead body.” Dharmendra honoured the vow and walked away from the project.
With his exit, the project passed through other hands before finding its lead actor.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Breakthrough
With Dharmendra out of the picture, and after offers to other stars didn’t materialise, Prakash Mehra cast a relatively unproven actor, Amitabh Bachchan, in the lead role of Inspector Vijay. As revealed by actor Ram Sethi the film could easily have starred Dharmendra, Dev Anand or Raaj Kumar before landing on Bachchan.
Zanjeer became the turning point in Bachchan’s career — the film that established his “Angry Young Man” persona and led to his ascent in Hindi cinema history.
Why This Story Matters
It illustrates how film projects often shift dramatically behind the scenes — rights change hands, casting changes, and fortunes are made or missed.
Dharmendra’s decision shows that even a well-established star can step away from what becomes a classic.
The story underlines how Zanjeer wasn’t just another film — it changed the trajectory of Bollywood in the 1970s and beyond.
For Amitabh Bachchan, Zanjeer marked the beginning of his rise to superstardom.
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FAQ’s
Q1. Did Dharmendra really buy the story of Zanjeer for ₹2,500?
Yes — according to reliable sources, Dharmendra paid ₹2,500 to Salim Khan for the story of Zanjeer.
(Note: Some later reports suggest a higher figure of ₹17,500.
Q2. Why did Dharmendra quit the film?
A family member gave him a solemn vow: if he did the film, she said he’d see her dead body. Respecting the pledge, he exited the project.
Q3. Who ended up starring in Zanjeer instead?
With Dharmendra out, the film was offered to Dev Anand and Raaj Kumar. Ultimately, it was made with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead.
Q4. Why is Zanjeer regarded as a landmark film?
Zanjeer ushered in the era of the “Angry Young Man” in Hindi cinema and changed Amitabh Bachchan’s career. It also marked a shift in storytelling and hero-types in 1970s Bollywood.
Q5. What lesson does this story offer for film-makers or actors?
It underlines that owning a concept or script is just the beginning — execution, timing, casting and even family/personal factors can influence outcomes heavily. Sometimes a missed opportunity for one becomes a breakout moment for another.
Published on : 11TH November
Published by : SARANYA
Source Credit ; Entertainment Desk
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