Amitabh Bachchan’s film career revived by ‘Zanjeer’, claims Salim Khan

It was a tough choice for Salim Khan to pick Amitabh Bachchan against Dev Anand and Dharmendra as other contenders for the leading hero in the 1973 blockbuster hit Zanjeer. The screenwriter recalls that before the movie, Bachchan had endured nearly 11 failed movies, and was planning to quit movies forever.

Thanks to Zanjeer, the Hindi film industry got several iconic screenplays where we saw the screen-writing magic from the duo - Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar before they split in the 80s. Salim Khan thinks it was fated for Bachchan to get this role. Zanjeer today is one of Bollywood’s most iconic hits that carved the archetype of ‘the angry young man’, and Amitabh Bachchan became synonymous with the phrase, as he fought the common man’s battle against the corrupt system.

Talking to Arbaaz Khan about Zanjeer, the screenwriter said the script was ready with the dialogues but Dharmendra didn’t do it, Dev had his own personal reasons. Dilip Kumar later told him that Zanjeer is one film he regrets not doing.


Salim Khan decided to zero down on Amitabh Bachchan, whose acting in films, such as Bombay To Goa, Parwana and Raaste Ka Patthar had impressed him before.

Talking about Bachchan’s impression while working for the first time, Khan said that he was young and new, and although his films had failed, he was a good actor with a striking voice and personality. Oftentimes, films flop simply because they are bad films, but everyone tends to lay the blame on actors, he said.

FAQs:

Q1. Is Zanjeer a hit or flop?
"Super Hit" according to Box Office India

Q2. Does Amitabh Bachchan have a private jet?
Yes, the Bollywood actor owns a private jet that costs over Rs 260 crore