Sholay, the OG blockbuster that made us all say “kitne aadmi the?”, didn’t just break box office records, it set the standard for paisa vasool Bollywood masala. But have you ever wondered what kind of pay packets the iconic cast took home for this career-defining movie? Warning: these numbers might make you do a double-take and mutter, “kya scene hai yeh!” Let’s dive into the (surprisingly relatable) salary slips of Sholay’s stars.
1. Dharmendra: Veeru’s Bank Balance FTW
Dharmendra may have played the fun-loving, tree-climbing Veeru, but when it came to salary, he was the real baap of the set. Our favorite sharabi hero bagged a whopping ₹1.5 lakh for the film, making him the highest earner in Sholay’s line-up. Turns out, behind all those goofy antics was a man with serious star power (and serious cash). Veeru might have flirted with danger, but his paisa game? Always on point.
2. Sanjeev Kumar: Thakur Gets His Due
Sanjeev Kumar didn’t have hands (on-screen), but he certainly had a solid grip on his paycheck. Playing Thakur Baldev Singh, the ultimate symbol of righteous anger and fatherly fury, he took home a smooth ₹1.25 lakh for his commanding presence. Honestly, if meme culture existed back then, Thakur’s salary would definitely get a “Boss Move” stamp.
3. Amitabh Bachchan: ‘Angry Young Man’, Calm Salary
Big B as Jai: the brooding legend, the quieter partner-in-crime, and the guy whose paycheck didn’t exactly scream superstar (yet). Amitabh Bachchan was paid ₹1 lakh, which was less than Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar, proving you didn’t need the biggest salary to steal the show or the spotlight back then. Who knew the ladka with the most intense gaze would also have the chillest bank slip?
4. Hema Malini: Basanti’s Deal, Kuch Khaas Nahi Basanti!
Basanti may have had the fastest ghodi in Ramgarh, but her salary couldn’t quite keep up with her male co-stars. Hema Malini charmed audiences for ₹75,000, a figure that says “dream girl,” but also “hello, gender pay gap!” Imagine Basanti asking, “In kutton se mat pucho, meri salary kyu itni kam hai?” Not cool, Bollywood.
5. Jaya Bachchan: Radha’s Quiet Strength, Quieter Paycheck
She didn’t say much, but boy, did Radha leave an impression. Sadly, Jaya Bachchan received just ₹35,000 for her stellar, soul-crushingly emotional performance, as if silence means “discounted.” Her paycheck was less “thunder rolls” and more “cricket chirps,” highlighting how the industry undervalued top-tier female talent in those days. Jaya’s silent strength? Deserved a much louder cha-ching.
So there you have it, Bollywood’s most iconic cast and the real numbers behind their reel heroics! While Sholay’s legacy is amoolya (priceless, bro), these salaries show what kinda value heroes, heroines, and supporting stars had in the 1970s. What’s your take?
