Jeetendra to play 'Thakur' in Sholay's Bhojpuri remake

Varanasi, Nov 5 (UNI) The integral character of 'Thakur' memorably essayed by Sanjiv Kumar in 1970s mega blockbuster 'Sholay' would be enacted by 'Jumping Jack' Jeetendra in the Bhojpuri remake of same classic that goes on floors early next year.

Interacting with mediapersons here last night, Mahesh Pandey, the director of the film, said the Bhojpuri remake of one of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters will be titled 'Gabbar Singh,' as it is an attempt to reorient the character immortalised by Amjad Khan.

''Everybody knows Gabbar Singh either for his on screen cruelty or the unforgettable dialogues that still sound fresh to the ears of the movie goers. But nobody has ever wondered why a Fauji (soldier) turned into the notorious dacoit of Ramgarh. The Bhojpuri remake of Sholay will attempt to redefine the character of Gabbar Singh by telling what made him turn into a dreaded bandit,'' said Mr Pandey.

While seasoned director Ram Gopal Verma, attempting a Hindi remake of Sholay, has already decided for Big B Amitabh Bachchan and Nisha Kothari in the roles of Gabbar Singh and Basanti respectively, the team of the Bhojpuri venture has only finalised one character.

''Out of all the memorable characters, Thakur, a role played in the classic by unmitable Sanjiv Kumar, would be enacted in the Bhojpuri remake by Jeetendra,'' said Mr Pandey.

The remaining starcast spanning from Jai and Veeru to Basanti, Radha and Sambha were yet to be finalised.

''The biggest challenge, however, is to select the ideal man for the notorious title role. Earlier we had thought of Mithun Chakravarty but he expressed unwillingness to do justice with the role immortalised by Amjad Khan. Then shotgun Shatrughan Sinha rang up from the US to express his desire to enact the role, but we thought otherwise,'' said Mr Pandey claiming that the name of the star who will play the title role would be announced by November 20.

He further informed unlike the original classic, its Bhojpuri remake would be shot exclusively in Varanasi and Chunar in the neighbouring Mirzapur district. ''We want to give our Sholay the true feel of the Bhojpuri heartland and are even scouting for an old Banyan tree whose cool but imposing shelter will provide ideal habitat to Gabbar Singh,'' he added.

Besides, the film to be made under the banner of Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms and Shri Siddhivinayak Media Entertainment, would have at least 35 artists from here and adjoining areas to give it a local flavour.

Produced by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, the film goes on floors on January 16 next and is likely to be completed by August.

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