October 14, 2024: Veteran actor-filmmaker Naseeruddin Shah recently expressed his views on the iconic Bollywood film Sholay, revealing a candid conversation he had with its co-writer, Javed Akhtar. Shah recalled telling Akhtar that Sholay was heavily inspired by the works of Charlie Chaplin and Clint Eastwood.
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During a discussion about originality, Shah remarked, “I once told Javed, ‘You’ve copied every scene in Sholay, including bits from Chaplin and Eastwood.’ He responded, ‘It’s not about where you take it from, it’s about how far you take it.’” Shah shared this anecdote while speaking at IFP Season 14, highlighting the complexities of defining originality in cinema.
Directed by Ramesh Sippy, Sholay (1975) is one of the most celebrated Indian films, combining elements of Spaghetti Westerns and Samurai cinema. The film starred legendary actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Amjad Khan, and remains a touchstone in Bollywood history.
Shah also reflected on how classic filmmakers like William Shakespeare, who is often regarded as a master of originality, borrowed ideas from older works but made them his own through unique presentations. He expressed admiration for legendary Indian directors such as Mrinal Sen, Satyajit Ray, Basu Chatterjee, and contemporary filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, praising their fearless approach to filmmaking despite the current “grim” state of the industry.
Apart from his take on Sholay, Shah discussed his directorial venture Man Woman Man Woman, a short film featuring his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, son Vivaan Shah, Saba Azad, and Tarun Dhanrajgir. The film, which explores love across two generations, was screened at the IFP event. Shah described the project as a lighthearted surprise, a departure from the intense work people usually expect from him.
At 74, Shah says he now enjoys doing cameos, focusing on roles that bring him joy. “I’m happy doing cameo roles because they don’t require much effort,” he said. Shah’s son, Imaad Shah, praised his parents, noting that they deserve more recognition and opportunities in the industry.
