The 1973 film Zanjeer stands as a watershed in Amitabh Bachchan’s journey from promising actor to cinematic colossus. It marked the first time the legendary writer duo Salim–Javed partnered with Bachchan, and their collaboration on this gritty police drama set the template for several future blockbusters. After Zanjeer, Salim–Javed repeatedly scripted with Bachchan in mind, championing him for leading roles in landmark films such as Deewaar and Sholay—projects that cemented his superstar status and reshaped the hero archetype in Hindi cinema.
An Almost-Dharmendra project
Surprisingly, Zanjeer almost became a vehicle for another giant, Dharmendra. In the early 1970s, Dharmendra was among Hindi cinema’s brightest stars; Salim Khan initially took the Zanjeer treatment to him. Captivated by the idea, Dharmendra paid Rs 2,500 to secure the concept, and it was agreed he would headline the film while his brother Ajit would co-produce alongside director Prakash Mehra. Had that plan held, memories of the vigilante-cop archetype might have attached to Dharmendra instead.
Origins of The Story
Salim Khan later revealed in Diptakirti Chaudhuri’s book Written by Salim-Javed that the Zanjeer treatment predated his writing partnership with Javed Akhtar. Salim’s own family history fed the narrative: his father Abdul Rashid Khan worked as a police officer and spent years amid the Chambal ravines — an environment that also inspired elements of Sholay. The Zanjeer idea changed hands for that modest fee and initially seemed destined to become Dharmendra’s triumph, a reminder of how chance and commerce shape cinema.
How Plans Unraveled
But the production alliance collapsed. After Ajit withdrew from the venture, Dharmendra stepped away too. Dilip Kumar was then approached but declined. The project eventually found its true lead in Amitabh Bachchan, whose raw intensity and gravitas proved a revelation. What followed was a string of collaborations and a reimagining of the hero in Hindi films — angrier, more brooding, and responsive to the frustrations of a changing society.
A family dispute and a dramatic exit
Family dynamics also played a part. In an interview, Bobby Deol recounted that a relative of Dharmendra had a dispute with Prakash Mehra, leading the family to pressure Dharmendra into exiting. According to the anecdote, a cousin warned that making the film would bring disgrace or worse, prompting Dharmendra to relinquish the role.
“When Zanjeer was offered, Dad wanted to do it. However, humari ek cousin sister thi, aur unki shayad koi problem ho gayi thi Prakash Mehra Ji se (We had a cousin who apparently had some issues with Prakash Mehra). She came to the house one day and said, ‘Aapko meri kasam, agar aapne yeh film ki toh aap meri dead body dekhoge’ (‘Swear on me, if you do this film, you’ll see my dead body’). So my father had to give up on Zanjeer," he reminisced.
The decision redirected a seminal script to Amitabh Bachchan and altered the course of Indian cinema.
An Almost-Dharmendra project
Surprisingly, Zanjeer almost became a vehicle for another giant, Dharmendra. In the early 1970s, Dharmendra was among Hindi cinema’s brightest stars; Salim Khan initially took the Zanjeer treatment to him. Captivated by the idea, Dharmendra paid Rs 2,500 to secure the concept, and it was agreed he would headline the film while his brother Ajit would co-produce alongside director Prakash Mehra. Had that plan held, memories of the vigilante-cop archetype might have attached to Dharmendra instead.
Origins of The Story
Salim Khan later revealed in Diptakirti Chaudhuri’s book Written by Salim-Javed that the Zanjeer treatment predated his writing partnership with Javed Akhtar. Salim’s own family history fed the narrative: his father Abdul Rashid Khan worked as a police officer and spent years amid the Chambal ravines — an environment that also inspired elements of Sholay. The Zanjeer idea changed hands for that modest fee and initially seemed destined to become Dharmendra’s triumph, a reminder of how chance and commerce shape cinema.
How Plans Unraveled
But the production alliance collapsed. After Ajit withdrew from the venture, Dharmendra stepped away too. Dilip Kumar was then approached but declined. The project eventually found its true lead in Amitabh Bachchan, whose raw intensity and gravitas proved a revelation. What followed was a string of collaborations and a reimagining of the hero in Hindi films — angrier, more brooding, and responsive to the frustrations of a changing society.
A family dispute and a dramatic exit
Family dynamics also played a part. In an interview, Bobby Deol recounted that a relative of Dharmendra had a dispute with Prakash Mehra, leading the family to pressure Dharmendra into exiting. According to the anecdote, a cousin warned that making the film would bring disgrace or worse, prompting Dharmendra to relinquish the role.
“When Zanjeer was offered, Dad wanted to do it. However, humari ek cousin sister thi, aur unki shayad koi problem ho gayi thi Prakash Mehra Ji se (We had a cousin who apparently had some issues with Prakash Mehra). She came to the house one day and said, ‘Aapko meri kasam, agar aapne yeh film ki toh aap meri dead body dekhoge’ (‘Swear on me, if you do this film, you’ll see my dead body’). So my father had to give up on Zanjeer," he reminisced.
The decision redirected a seminal script to Amitabh Bachchan and altered the course of Indian cinema.
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