Ah, because that's a misconception people definitely seem to have then, about your Sholay. They're expecting Amitabh to say 'Kitne aadmi the?' and Ajay Devgan to be doing the 'Mausi' scene...
It's not that they don't say [the lines]. They might say quite a few lines, but then the scene takes off in a different direction. The scene might start or end with those lines, but the rest of it remains original.
For example, there isn't any 'Holi kab hai?' There is 'Diwali kab hai?' Why he chooses Diwali is strategic, because of the cover of darkness and because firecracker sounds will hide the weapon sounds. So Baban decides to attack at Diwali.
The action sequence will be different, obviously, because it's in the city, and then there's the whole Diwali effect. The intention is to create a moment. We're making it after so many years, and we have the advantage of having new technology -- equipment and Avid editing technology -- the difference is bound to reflect.
For me, Ramesh Sippy made an extraordinary classic -- and I owe every rupee I earned and every bit of fame to Sholay, in one way or another. So it's not one-upmanship. I just feel that the original thoughts and characters and ideas were so unique, why not apply a technique we have available today? I want to update it. My intention is to pay respect to it, not to better it or say, 'I didn't like the old one, now I'll show you guys what Sholay's all about' (laughs).
I truly believe I'm the biggest fan of Sholay -- more than anybody else, and bigger than Ramesh Sippy himself. He made it and conceived it, but I spent lots of days waiting in line with hardly any money in my pocket, trying to watch his film.
Also read: 'My fingers are cut off, not hands'
Advertisement
