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

Sholay remains one of Indian cinema’s most iconic films, etched deeply into the nation’s cultural memory. With India’s biggest cinematic spectacle returning to theatres in stunning 4K resolution and with its original climax restored, the film has once again sparked waves of nostalgia.

Amid renewed conversations around the classic, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy recently shared a gripping behind-the-scenes anecdote- one that reveals how Angry Young Man Amitabh Bachchan narrowly escaped a fatal mishap during filming, when co-star Dharmendra accidentally fired a real bullet on set.

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When Reel Action Turned Dangerously Real!

Recounting the incident during a conversation with News18, Ramesh Sippy revisited the tense moment from the shooting of Sholay’s climax. He revealed that the scene was never meant to involve an actual gunshot, but events unfolded unexpectedly.

“It happened while filming the climax. That was the one in which he picked up the bullets, stuffed them in… and in this shot, he was not supposed to fire… He was just expected to load the gun. But what he did was put the gun up and fired, Amitabh Bachchan was standing up there as it was his position- at the edge of the cliff, and the bullet whizzed past him," said Sippy.

The gravity of the situation became apparent immediately, as the bullet missed Bachchan by a whisker, turning a cinematic moment into a life-threatening incident.

A Set Brought to a Standstill

The aftermath of the incident saw heightened emotions on set, particularly from action cameraman Jim Allen, who refused to continue shooting under such unsafe circumstances. Sippy explained that production was halted for the day, allowing tempers to cool and safety concerns to be addressed.

Sippy said, “Jim Allen, the action cameraman, said, 'I will not shoot. He said if actors behave like this. It can't happen on my set. I don't want any accident to take place.' That day, the shooting was cancelled, and we obviously looked after him, cooled him off. We made Dharmendra also understand that it's okay to get into the mood, but you cannot shoot when there's a possibility of accidents. He understood. He apologised to Jim and Amit ji. They worked it out. Obviously, it was not intentional; it just happened."

The incident ended with apologies, understanding, and a renewed commitment to safety, allowing the film to continue its journey toward becoming a cinematic legend.

Why Sholay Still Reigns Supreme?

Often hailed as the greatest Bollywood film of all time, Sholay masterfully blends action, drama, and comedy. Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan immortalised the roles of Veeru and Jai, while Sanjeev Kumar delivered a powerful performance as retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh. Debutant Amjad Khan’s portrayal of the ruthless Gabbar Singh remains unmatched to this day.

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Hema Malini’s spirited Basanti and Jaya Bhaduri’s restrained Radha added emotional depth, while characters like Asrani’s 'Angrezon ke zamane ke jailer' and Jagdeep’s Soorma Bhopali became pop-culture icons. Even after nearly five decades, every character and moment from Sholay continues to live on in the hearts of audiences.