Ramesh Sippy's Journey: From Saving His Father's Empire to Creating Sholay
In the glittering world of Bollywood, where star kids often bask in the glow of inherited fame, Ramesh Sippy's entry into the film industry was anything but conventional. Tasked with erasing his father's 'B-grade' tag, this director went on to create Hindi cinema's most iconic classic, Sholay, while also facing a massive flop that tested his resilience. Let's delve into the life of Ramesh Sippy before Sholay and how this monumental film reshaped both Bollywood and his career.
The Sippy Family Legacy: From Carpets to Cinema
Ramesh Sippy's father, GP Sippy, hailed from a wealthy Sindhi family in Karachi. However, the turmoil of the 1947 Partition forced him to abandon his business, mansion, and wealth, fleeing to Mumbai overnight. Arriving empty-handed, he initially sold carpets to make ends meet, as reported by The New York Times. GP Sippy experimented with various ventures, including running a restaurant, but found little success until he ventured into construction. By building and selling residential properties, he gradually rebuilt his fortune.
It was during the construction of a house for Bollywood actress Nargis Dutt that GP Sippy developed a fascination with films. He began acting in small roles and later transitioned to producing low-budget crime films under his banner, Sippy Films. His directorial debut, Sazaa in 1953, starring Dev Anand and Nimmi, achieved moderate box office success. Despite producing films like Shrimati 420, Chandrakant, and Brahmachari, limited success led the industry to label him a 'B-grade producer'.
Ramesh Sippy's Call to Duty: Reviving the Family Empire
As GP Sippy's film empire struggled, he called his son Ramesh back from the prestigious London School of Economics to Mumbai. Ramesh, who was pursuing his studies, was thrust into the challenge of reviving the production house. He made his directorial debut with Andaz in 1971, starring Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, and Hema Malini. This film also marked the first project of the legendary writer duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar.
Following Andaz, Sippy collaborated with Salim-Javed on Seeta Aur Geeta in 1972, which set the stage for his magnum opus. Sholay, released in 1975, would go on to become the biggest Hindi film of all time, cementing Ramesh Sippy's place in cinematic history.
The Making of Sholay: A Cinematic Gamble
With only two films under his belt, Ramesh Sippy conceived Sholay as a homage to Hollywood Westerns. His previous film, Seeta Aur Geeta, had cost Rs 40 lakh, but Sholay demanded far greater resources. At the CII Big Picture Summit in 2016, Sippy recalled, "While making Sholay, I was very lucky to have my father back me." He initially asked for Rs 1 crore but the film eventually ballooned to Rs 3 crore, a staggering sum for its time.
In a stark contrast to today's film budgets, where star fees often dominate costs, Sholay featured Bollywood giants like Hema Malini, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar for just Rs 20 lakh in star fees. Sippy noted, "Today if you make a film of Rs 150 crore, out of that Rs 100 crore goes to actors. There is something lopsided about the movie-making business today." Despite initial box office struggles, Sholay gained massive momentum after its first week, becoming the era's biggest hit.
Post-Sholay Career: Highs and Lows
The success of Sholay cast a long shadow over Ramesh Sippy's subsequent work, with audiences constantly comparing his films to the iconic classic. Emboldened by his triumph, Sippy mounted Shaan in 1980 with an even larger ensemble cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Sunil Dutt, and Shashi Kapoor. Costing over Rs 7 crore, it was the most expensive Indian film of its time but performed poorly upon release. However, later re-releases and television broadcasts helped it turn profitable and develop a cult following, eventually collecting Rs 8 crore.
Sippy later delivered hits like Shakti (1982) and Saagar (1985), and directed the critically acclaimed television series Buniyaad. His last directorial venture was the 2020 film Shimla Mirch. Over the years, he also produced acclaimed films such as Bluffmaster and Taxi No. 9211, showcasing his versatility beyond direction.
Personal Life: Love and Controversy
Ramesh Sippy's personal life drew significant attention when he married actress Kiran Juneja, who was 27 years old and 17 years his junior. At the time of their marriage, Sippy was 44 and previously married to Geeta Sippy, with whom he had three children: Rohan, Sheena, and Sonya Sippy. Ramesh and Kiran met during the auditions for Buniyaad, dating for four years before tying the knot.
Kiran faced vilification and was labeled a 'home breaker', but in an interview with Lehren Retro, she addressed the controversy, stating, "See, marriage would have bothered me if I was the home breaker, but I already knew their situation, so it's not like I broke their house." She emphasized her comfort with the age difference, noting her maturity and preference for older companions.
Ramesh Sippy's journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of cinema. From rescuing his father's legacy to crafting a timeless classic, his story remains an inspiring chapter in Bollywood's rich history.
