Amitabh wanted to play Gabbar Singh in Sholay

Hyderabad, Aug 24 (UNI) It is a dream come true after three decades for Bollywood Icon Amitabh Bachchan who is playing the role of dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh in 'Aag,' the remake of blockbuster movie 'Sholay.' ''I was booked for playing Gabbar Singh's role in Sholay. But in the last minute, Amjad Khan was offered the character by Ramesh Sippy,'' the mega superstar said during last night's preview of ''Aggi,'' the Telugu version of 'Aag,' directed by maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma.

The film was a tribute to the classic and to great actors including Sanjeev Kumar, he said while complimenting the youngsters who worked in 'Aag' with a lot of zeal and agression.

Defending Ram Gopal Varma for boldly venturing to remake Sholay, Amitabh said, ''freedom of expression should be lauded and appreciated.'' The director, he said, strove to recreate the enduring magic of the 1975 box office hit Sholay in his ''Aag.'' UNI