Jaya Bachchan Once Wanted To Play Basanti In Sholay Because Of Dharmendra
Veteran actress and politician Jaya Bachchan has once again become the center of Bollywood discussions after old interviews and stories about her admiration for Dharmendra resurfaced online. According to past interviews, Jaya Bachchan had once admitted that she wanted to play the iconic role of Basanti in Sholay because she had a huge crush on Dharmendra.
Jaya Bachchan’s Admiration For Dharmendra
During an old appearance on a celebrity talk show with Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan openly confessed that she was deeply impressed by Dharmendra during her early film days.
She recalled that:
- She became nervous when she first met him
- She even hid behind a sofa after seeing him
- She found him extremely handsome and charming
Jaya reportedly described Dharmendra as looking like a:
“Greek God.”
Why She Wanted To Play Basanti
In the same conversation, Jaya Bachchan jokingly revealed that she wanted to play Basanti in Sholay because she loved Dharmendra. The role eventually went to Hema Malini, whose portrayal of the talkative horse-cart driver became one of the most iconic performances in Indian cinema history.
Interestingly, in Sholay:
- Dharmendra played Veeru
- Hema Malini played Basanti
- Amitabh Bachchan played Jai
- Jaya Bachchan portrayed Radha
The film later became one of the greatest cult classics in Bollywood history. Sholay
Jaya Bachchan’s “Happy New Year” Comment Goes Viral Again
Another old Bollywood story involving Jaya Bachchan has also resurfaced recently. Actor Mohan Kapur revealed in an interview that Jaya Bachchan had once called Happy New Year a “nonsensical” film directly in front of Shah Rukh Khan.
The film featured:
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Abhishek Bachchan
- Deepika Padukone
- Sonu Sood
- Boman Irani
Despite her criticism, the film was commercially successful and became popular among audiences.
Amitabh Bachchan Was Reportedly Shocked
According to Mohan Kapur’s recollection, Amitabh Bachchan was reportedly surprised by Jaya Bachchan’s blunt reaction to the film. However, the story has since become one of Bollywood’s most talked-about examples of Jaya Bachchan’s straightforward personality.
Jaya Bachchan is widely known for:
- Speaking honestly in public
- Sharing direct opinions
- Avoiding diplomatic responses
This candid nature often makes her comments go viral online.
Why These Stories Still Fascinate Fans
Fans continue to enjoy these old Bollywood anecdotes because they reveal:
- Behind-the-scenes industry moments
- Personal relationships between legendary stars
- The human side of iconic celebrities
The resurfaced stories also remind audiences of the golden era of Bollywood films like:
- Sholay
- Guddi
- Abhimaan
- Chupke Chupke
where many legendary actors worked together.
The Legacy of Sholay
Released in 1975, Sholay remains one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema.
The movie is remembered for:
- Iconic dialogues
- Legendary characters
- Memorable music
- Historic performances
Even decades later, discussions around its casting and behind-the-scenes stories continue to fascinate Bollywood fans.
Conclusion
Jaya Bachchan’s old confession about wanting to play Basanti because of her admiration for Dharmendra has once again gone viral, bringing back nostalgia among Bollywood fans.
At the same time, her blunt reaction to Happy New Year highlights the outspoken personality she has always been known for.
These stories continue to keep classic Bollywood memories alive while showing the candid relationships shared by some of India’s biggest film legends.