Mumbai:
Director Ramesh Sippy denied reports that his blockbuster film Sholay had a poor collection at the box office for the first two weeks. He said that it got a blockbuster opening.
"There was tremendous eagerness among people for the film. When the film hit the theatres, it had an outstanding opening and was house full everywhere. Innumerable tickets were sold in black. It is completely wrong to say that the film had a poor opening," said Mr Sippy.
He was present at the National Centre for the Performing Arts to celebrate the completion of 40 years of Sholay.
The Kuch Naa Kaho director, however, accepted that the film received disastrous reviews from critics.
"Yes, critics slammed the film. The trade pundits were firm that this film can't work and that it was a disaster. But the viewer loved it from day one. And the popularity increased over time when the dialogues came out," he said.
Sholay, which saw Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan play friends Jai and Veeru, was about a retired police chief, Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar), who plots to bring down notorious bandit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) with the help of the duo. (Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan: I and Dharamji Meet as Jai-Veeru Even Today)
Hema Malini and Jaya Bhaduri essayed the love interests of Veeru and Jai in the film that was released on Independence Day in 1975. (Also Read: Hema Malini on 40 Years of Sholay: People Still Call Me Basanti)
The film held the record for running the maximum number of weeks at the box office till Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge surpassed the it.
"There was tremendous eagerness among people for the film. When the film hit the theatres, it had an outstanding opening and was house full everywhere. Innumerable tickets were sold in black. It is completely wrong to say that the film had a poor opening," said Mr Sippy.
He was present at the National Centre for the Performing Arts to celebrate the completion of 40 years of Sholay.
The Kuch Naa Kaho director, however, accepted that the film received disastrous reviews from critics.
"Yes, critics slammed the film. The trade pundits were firm that this film can't work and that it was a disaster. But the viewer loved it from day one. And the popularity increased over time when the dialogues came out," he said.
Sholay, which saw Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan play friends Jai and Veeru, was about a retired police chief, Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar), who plots to bring down notorious bandit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) with the help of the duo. (Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan: I and Dharamji Meet as Jai-Veeru Even Today)
Hema Malini and Jaya Bhaduri essayed the love interests of Veeru and Jai in the film that was released on Independence Day in 1975. (Also Read: Hema Malini on 40 Years of Sholay: People Still Call Me Basanti)
The film held the record for running the maximum number of weeks at the box office till Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge surpassed the it.
