Jai and Veeru: Legacy of friendship that stayed strong in front of and behind camera

MUMBAI: Jai and Veeru in Sholay. Friends who wanted to live and die together. Sholay is a film that beautifully portrayed friendship. The warmth and sincerity of friendship between Jai and Veeru existed between Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra behind the camera as well.

The audience felt the strength and warmth of friendship in every frame of Sholay. Dharmendra had recently shared that the two of them played rummy and went on car rides during their free time during the shooting days of Sholay.

Dharmendra used to call Bachchan his younger brother (chota bhai). In fact, Sholay director Ramesh Sippy had planned to give the role of Jai to actor Shatrughan Sinha. It was Dharmendra who suggested that Bachchan, who was struggling to establish himself in Bollywood, should be made Jai. Dharmendra recommended Big B for the role of Inspector Vijay in Zanjeer (1973), which earned Bachchan the image of "Angry Young Man".

The bond of mutual love and respect has remained unbroken even after half a century. This friendship was evident even at the event held in connection with the reunion of the collaborators in Sholay. Dharmendra-Bachchan hit duo also appeared in films like Chupke Chupke, Ram Balram, and Naseeb.

Dharmendra's colleagues were surprised to see him being the happiest when Bachchan later became a bigger actor than 'He-Man of Bollywood'. They are also neighbours in Juhu, Mumbai. Bachchan had recently visited Dharmendra, who was suffering from health problems, at his residence.