When one thinks of iconic Bollywood villains, the name Ranjeet inevitably comes to mind. With a career spanning decades, he has etched himself as a formidable antagonist. In a recent candid conversation, the veteran actor peeled back the curtain on the fascinating and often eccentric world of Bollywood's Golden Era stalwarts, sharing unforgettable stories about working with legends like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Raaj Kumar, Feroz Khan, and Danny Denzongpa.
The Eccentricities of the Greats: From Bathroom Refusals to Wall Scaling
Ranjeet painted a vivid picture of the unique personalities that defined that era. He recalled a particularly amusing incident involving the legendary Raaj Kumar and showman Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor was narrating the story of a film titled 'Jogan' to Raaj Kumar. After listening intently, Raaj Kumar expressed his liking for the script but had one crucial question—the film's name. Upon hearing it was 'Jogan', Raaj Kumar immediately needed to use the bathroom.
When Raj Kapoor pointed him towards the washroom, Raaj Kumar famously refused, stating, "If I use your bathroom, I will have to do your film as well. You take an actor like Raaj Kumar and then you name the film after a woman." This, according to Ranjeet, was a classic example of the peculiar yet firm ways stars decided their projects.
He revealed that the great Dilip Kumar had his own unique method of avoiding unwanted film offers. When producers from the South Indian film industry would come to visit him at his home, Dilip Kumar would literally scale his compound wall and run away to avoid meeting them. His staff would then politely inform the waiting producers that Saab was not at home. This was his discreet way of declining roles he did not wish to take on.
The Sholay Saga: How Danny Denzongpa Lost Gabbar to Amjad Khan
One of the most tantalizing revelations from the interview involved the iconic role of Gabbar Singh in the blockbuster Sholay. Ranjeet disclosed that Danny Denzongpa was the original choice for the menacing dacoit, and posters featuring him as Gabbar had already been printed and circulated.
However, fate intervened in the form of filmmaker Feroz Khan. Feroz Khan was preparing for his own film, 'Dharmatma', and he managed to convince Danny to opt out of Sholay. Ranjeet recounted Feroz Khan's persuasive pitch: "Waha 3 hero hai, kya karega waha par. Main tujhe Hema Malini ke saath gaana de raha hoon (They already have three heroes there. What will you do? I am giving you a song with Hema Malini)."
Danny Denzongpa agreed, leaving the makers of Sholay in a bind as they had a tight schedule to adhere to. The team then approached Ranjeet to step into the role. But showing camaraderie, Ranjeet refused the part because Danny was a friend. With the clock ticking, the unit turned to Amjad Khan, who was already associated with the project in another capacity, and the rest is cinematic history.
A Glimpse into a Bygone Bollywood
Ranjeet's anecdotes offer a priceless glimpse into a different time in Hindi cinema—an era where stars operated by their own distinct codes of conduct and decisions were often swayed by personal quirks and loyalties. These stories highlight not just the idiosyncrasies of the legends but also the interconnected relationships and chance events that shaped some of Indian cinema's most enduring legacies, including the creation of its most famous villain.
The interview serves as a reminder that behind the larger-than-life screen personas of these icons were individuals with unique personalities, whose personal choices, sometimes as simple as refusing to use a bathroom or being persuaded by a song sequence, inadvertently altered the course of film history.
