In the glittering history of India(BHARAT)n cinema, few “what ifs” are as fascinating as Dharmendra’s decision to turn down Zanjeer—a film that went on to define Amitabh Bachchan’s career and give Bollywood its first “angry young man”. While writer Javed Akhtar had earlier revealed that Dharmendra was the first choice for the 1973 blockbuster, Bobby Deol has now shared the emotional truth behind why his father stepped away from the project.
Speaking to Instant Bollywood, Bobby opened up about how Dharmendra once chose family over fame, revealing a side to the legendary actor that fans rarely get to see.
Why did Dharmendra reject Zanjeer?
Bobby shared that his father’s refusal wasn’t about professional choices; it was about a personal promise. “When Zanjeer was offered, Dad wanted to do it. However, humari ek cousin sister thi, aur unki shayad koi problem hogyi thi Prakash Mehra Ji se (we had a cousin sister who apparently had some issues with Prakash Mehra Ji). She came to the house one day and said, ‘Aapko meri kasam, agar aapne yeh film ki toh aap meri dead body dekhoge’ (‘I swear on me, if you do this film, you’ll only see my dead body’). So my father had to give up on Zanjeer,” Bobby said.
The emotional weight of that moment shaped one of Bollywood’s biggest turning points. Had Dharmendra taken up the role, Amitabh Bachchan’s journey—and perhaps the landscape of Hindi cinema- might have looked very different.
A generous heart behind the He-Man image
Bobby also recalled another story that showed Dharmendra’s selfless side. “There was a film Satyakam. My father did it for my aunt’s husband. They were facing some financial problems, so my father gave them Rs 25 lakhs. I don’t remember the exact amount, but just imagine—giving Rs 25 lakhs in the ’60s. My dad has always been someone who has taken care of people,” he shared.
Such gestures, Bobby said, were not rare for his father, who has always been known for his warmth and compassion off-screen, just as much as his power and charm on-screen.
Dharmendra’s subtle response to Javed Akhtar’s claim
In 2022, when Javed Akhtar had publicly mentioned that Dharmendra was initially offered Zanjeer, the veteran actor responded in his poetic style on X (formerly Twitter), “Javed, kaise ho… dikhave ki iss duniya mein haqeeqaten dabi rah jaati hain. Jeetey raho… Dilon ko gudgudana khoob aata hai… kaash sar chad ke bolne ka jaadu bhi seekh liya hota.” (“Javed, how are you? In this world of pretence, truth often gets buried. Stay blessed… I know how to make hearts smile… Wish I had also learnt the magic of speaking out loud.”)
The legacy of Zanjeer
Directed by Prakash Mehra, Zanjeer became a landmark film in India(BHARAT)n cinema, cementing Amitabh Bachchan’s stardom and giving rise to a new era of intense, brooding heroes. The film also featured Jaya Bhaduri, Pran, Ajit Khan, and Bindu, and told the story of Inspector Vijay Khanna, a man on a mission to avenge his parents’ death.
While Zanjeer made Amitabh Bachchan the face of a generation, it also left behind one of Bollywood’s most fascinating “what could have been” moments—rooted in family, loyalty, and emotion.
Highlights:
- Bobby Deol reveals Dharmendra refused Zanjeer due to a family promise.
- The actor once gave Rs 25 lakhs in the ’60s to help relatives in need.
- Dharmendra’s decision paved the way for Amitabh Bachchan’s rise as the “angry young man”.
