Dharmendra has been a Bollywood icon for decades, starring in countless hits and earning numerous accolades. However, he’s also turned down some big projects. One notable example is ‘Janjir’, a film that catapulted Amitabh Bachchan to stardom and cemented his status as the ‘Angry Young Man’ of Indian cinema.
The film’s story was penned by the legendary Saliim-Javed duo, and it was directed by Prakash Mehra. Interestingly, ‘Janjir’ was initially offered to several big names before Amitabh Bachchan, including Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and even Raj Kumar. So, what made Dharmendra turn it down?
According to Bobby Deol, Dharmendra’s son and a fellow actor, a personal family matter was behind his father’s decision. In an interview with ‘Instant Bollywood’, Bobby revealed that a family member, a cousin, had a falling out with Prakash Mehra, the film’s director. This cousin visited their home one day and implored Dharmendra not to take on the project, saying, “If you do this film, you’ll see my dead body.”
This wasn’t the first time the reasons behind Dharmendra’s decision had been discussed. Javed Akhtar once suggested that Dharmendra and other actors turned down ‘Janjir’ because it lacked a romantic angle. However, this explanation didn’t sit well with Dharmendra. He took to X to respond to Javed Akhtar, saying, “Javed, how are you? In this world of pretence, the truth remains hidden. May you live long. You know how to tickle hearts. I wish you had also mastered the art of speaking with conviction.”
The film ‘Janjir’ went on to become a massive success. The movie starred Amitabh Bachchan alongside Jaya Bachchan, Pran, Ajit Khan, Bindu, and Iftekhar. Made on a budget of ₹90 lakh, it raked in ₹6 crore in India and ₹17.46 crore worldwide, making it one of the top-grossing films of 1973. The movie’s success was a turning point in Amitabh Bachchan’s career, establishing him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
Box Office Success
Here are some key figures that highlight ‘Janjir’s’ commercial success:
- Production budget: ₹90 lakh
- India box office collection: ₹6 crore
- Worldwide box office collection: ₹17.46 crore
The film’s impact on Amitabh Bachchan’s career and its enduring popularity are testaments to the power of ‘Janjir’.