Dharmendra wanted to play Thakur but chose Veeru in 1975 blockbuster Sholay for this reason

45 years after its release, the reason why Bollywood actorDharmendra wanted to play Veeru was revealed. In one of the interviews recently, director Ramesh Sippy uncovered this closely guarded secret since 1973.

Everyone in the film industry is aware of the fact that Bollywood superstar, in the late 1960s and 1970s, Dharmendra was in a relationship with Hema Malini and the couple married in 1980. But did you know that to pursue his love he gave up his demand to play the meaty role of Sanjeev Kumar as Thakur.
 

It is said that the director Ramesh Sippy had a meeting with Dharmendra who had his say in every film he did those days and the actor demanded the role of Thakur as the film is centred around the police officer who wants to take revenge against the notorious dacoit Gabbar.

But the director was aware of what was going on between Dharmendra and Hema Malini since the shoot of their previous film Seeta Aur Geeta for which Sippy put on the director's hat.

Jokingly, the director told Dharmendra if he opts for the role of Thakur then he will have to miss the chance to romance Hema Malini who was the most sought actress those days.
 

The superstar wanted to play either Gabbar's role and end up as Thakur of the iconic film, but his liking for Hema Malini and fear about others bagging the opportunity to romance her made him agree to play Veeru.