Amitabh Bachchan recalls how Dharmendra made Jai’s death scene in Sholay feel natural, watch

Sholay stands as a cinematic phenomenon, its everlasting impact redefining Indian films. Stellar performances by Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini and Amjad Khan created immortal characters, etched deeply into moviegoers’ souls, remaining timeless, quoted, and cherished till date.

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Among its many unforgettable moments, Jai’s death scene continues to haunt audiences with its raw emotion and tragic intensity. Amitabh Bachchan’s natural, restrained performance as the dying Jai left generations teary-eyed- but the magic behind it has an unexpected connection to Dharmendra. 

A Sentimental Debut with a Legendary Farewell

As Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda makes his big-screen debut with Ikkis, the film carries a deeper emotional weight. It marks the final on-screen appearance of the legendary Dharmendra, making the project even more special for cinema lovers.

The young actor recently appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati alongside director Sriram Raghavan and co-star Jaideep Ahlawat, where memories, nostalgia and heartfelt tributes took center stage.

Big B’s Emotional Tribute to Dharmendra

A short clip from the show has since gone viral, showing Amitabh Bachchan fondly recalling his Sholay co-star while speaking about Ikkis.

Paying a deeply emotional tribute, he said, "Film Ikkis humare liye woh akhri anmol nisani hai jo ki Hindi film jagat ki mahan bibhuti apne karodon chahne walon ke liye chodd gaye. Ek kalakar apni sans ki akhri chorr tak kala ki sadhna karna janta hai. Aur kuch aisa hi kiya mere mitr mere pariwar mere adarsh Dharmendra Deol ji ne."

He went on to praise Dharmendra not just as an exceptional actor and co-star, but also as a remarkable human being.

Revisiting Sholay and Jai’s Iconic Death Scene

The conversation soon turned nostalgic as Amitabh Bachchan recalled shooting Sholay in Bangalore. Sharing a lesser-known behind-the-scenes anecdote, he revealed how Dharmendra unknowingly enhanced the realism of Jai’s death scene.

"Unki ek khubi thi, jo physical khubi mein kahun... Woh pehelwan the. Uska udharan mujhe bhi patta laga ek din. Jo death scene aap dekh rahe the, mein tadap raha hoon. Woh unki wajah se tadap raha tha. Itni zor se pakda hua tha unhone...Mera ek Dum natural acting hua hai wahan pe," said Sholay’s Jai.

Must Read: Sholay Revisited: Amitabh Bachchan narrowly escaped as Dharmendra accidentally fired a real bullet!

Laughter, Legacy and Lasting Bonds

This revelation left everyone present- including Shweta Nanda and Navya Naveli Nanda- bursting into laughter. Yet, beneath the humour lay a beautiful reminder of camaraderie, dedication and the timeless legacy of Sholay, where even pain became poetry on screen.

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