When Asrani Won Hearts as the ‘Jailer of the British Era’ and Made the Audience Roll with Laughter

“Attention! Humne kaha Attention! Qaidiyon! Kaan kholkar sun lo, hum angrezon ke zamane ke jailer hain...” (Attention! We said Attention! Prisoners! Open your ears and listen, we are jailers from the British era...)

This dialogue from the film Sholay is still on people’s lips even today. The actor who made this dialogue memorable was Asrani, (Sholay movie box office record India) who played the role of the ‘Jailer of the British Era’ and made audiences burst into laughter.

Asrani, whose real name is Govardhan Asrani, is counted among those Hindi cinema actors who gave a new dimension to comedy roles through his acting. His portrayal of the jailer in Sholay made him unforgettable forever. His dialogue delivery and comic (Sholay cult dialogues, everyday conversations) timing are still considered a benchmark in the film world. On the occasion of the film completing 50 years, Asrani shared his experiences. Let’s hear it in his own words...

About his character

Talking about his role, Asrani said: “I didn’t know anything about the film. I thought the producer-director was calling me for a small role. When I went to meet them, Ramesh Sippy was there along with Salim–Javed. Javed Sahab narrated the script, saying – ‘Attention! Hum angrezon ke zamane ke jailer hain...’ (Attention! We are jailers from the British era...). The character was supposed to be foolish, (Sholay dacoit Western genre explained) but thinks of himself as the smartest man alive. I thought, I’ve never done such a role before.
They gave me a book on World War II to read, which had 10–12 poses of Hitler. Hitler used to rehearse in front of a photographer wearing his army uniform before coming in front of the public. I picked up 3–4 of those poses and brought that attitude into the character. (Sholay movie behind the scenes trivia)
For 10 days before shooting, I kept practicing my dialogue. I remembered what Ashok Kumar once said: ‘Learn your dialogues by heart, leave the rest to the director.’ I tied that advice in my mind and prepared fully before reaching the set.

Since the film was too long, my scene was initially cut. But a journalist in Nagpur, after watching it, said ‘This scene is the soul of the film.’ Later, my scene was re-added. Even today people recognize me because of that role, and I’m very grateful for it.” (Sholay streaming platforms)

“If not the jailer, I would have played Ram Lal” – Asrani
Asrani added, “If I hadn’t played the jailer, I might have done the role of Thakur’s servant Ram Lal. I don’t think I could have played any other character in Sholay. All the roles are difficult, but Ram Lal was possible.” For context: In the film, (Sholay iconic dialogues list) the role of Ram Lal was played by Satyen Kappu.

About Gabbar Singh’s role

The dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh was played by Amjad Khan, but many legendary actors’ names came up for this role before him. Asrani shared: “The role was first offered to Danny Denzongpa. He was my junior at the Film Institute when I was an instructor there. At that time, students included Jaya Bhaduri, Shatrughan Sinha, Shabana Azmi, Rehana Sultan, and Navin Nischol.

Danny was working in Feroz Khan’s Dharmatma then. When he told Feroz Khan about Sholay, Feroz scolded him: ‘Are you mad? The role I’ve given you in Dharmatma is one of a kind, and you’re thinking of playing a dacoit?’ Danny, being a simple man, declined Sholay. And that’s how the role went to Amjad Khan.”

The magic of Amjad Khan’s voice

On how Amjad’s voice became iconic, Asrani recalled: “When my dubbing was happening at Rajkamal Studio, Amjad’s voice test was also going on. He told me: ‘Today my life will be decided, I don’t know if my voice will be approved.’
Sound recordist Mangesh Desai said: ‘There’s quality in this voice.’ Then Salim–Javed said: ‘What can we do, the voice is approved now.’

The surprising fact is that after Mughal-e-Azam, the dialogues of Sholay in Amjad Khan’s voice had record sales. Huge hoardings came up: ‘Gabbar’s real choice – Biscuits.’ (referring to Britannia Glucose D biscuits). Before this, no villain’s name was ever used in ads.”

Sholay FAQ

The moment when tears welled up in Amjad’s eyes

“There was a time when I saw tears of happiness in Amjad Khan’s eyes,” Asrani shared.“I was going to an event in Vadodara, Gujarat, along with Amjad Khan. His little son was also with us. On the way, we stopped at a small shop to buy a cold drink. As soon as his son opened the bottle, a voice came from behind: ‘Kitne aadmi the?’ (How many men were there?).
Startled, I turned back and saw a cassette playing Amjad’s dialogues. At that moment, I saw tears in his eyes. He must have been thinking – the same voice that was once rejected is now echoing everywhere.”

Empty theatres left Asrani–Amjad said,

“When the film released, the theatres were empty in the beginning. I was very nervous,” Asrani remembered. “I live in Juhu, Mumbai. The film was released at Chandan Theatre. At the 3 PM show, the hall was completely empty. I couldn’t watch the full film. I went into depression thinking – what went wrong? Later, during a shoot at Mehboob Studio, I visited Amjad Khan’s house nearby. He too was very sad. I still remember he told me: ‘Lagta hai haath se nikal gayi’ (Looks like it slipped from our hands).”

Coins turned the film’s fate

“But destiny changed, and the film picked up. And once it did, it ran for years without leaving the theatres,” Asrani smiled. He narrated an incident: At Minerva Theatre, Mumbai, the film was running on a 70mm screen. People could hear the sound of coins dropping. Actually, it was from the film’s scene, but audiences thought viewers were throwing coins at the screen. Soon, more people started coming to watch, and the film became unstoppable.”

Asrani gave Sholay a refreshing touch of laughter with his role as the ‘Jailer of the British Era’. His comic timing, unique style, and powerful dialogue delivery proved that even a small role can leave a lasting impact on cinema and audiences.

A Foreign Journalist Called Sholay a Spaghetti Film

The fame of Sholay wasn’t limited to India—it reached abroad as well. Asrani shared an experience:
“Sholay is a unique phenomenon, almost a strange chapter. People even compared it with Hollywood’s Spaghetti Westerns. I didn’t understand what it meant.

Once, I was in Delhi for an event, where I met a journalist from England. He had seen Sholay and recognized me instantly. He called it a Spaghetti film. When I asked the meaning, he said it meant iconic.

For us, it felt like any other film shoot. But Sholay turned into a cult movie. And truly, it must be special—that’s why even after 50 years, people still celebrate it.”

Sholay FAQ

1. Is there a new 4K restoration of Sholay available in 2025?

Yes, Sholayhas been digitally restored in 4K, with improved sound and visuals, making it available for streaming and select theatrical re-releases in 2025.

2. Is Sholay being re-released in cinemas in 2025?

Yes, as part of its 50-year celebration, Sholayis set for limited screenings in select Indian cities and international film festivals in 2025.

3. Did any cast members attend the Sholay 50th anniversary events?

Yes, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and Dharmendra attended special commemorative events celebrating Sholay’s golden jubilee in 2025.

4. Is Sholay available on OTT platforms in 2025?

Yes, Sholayis streaming on popular OTT platforms like Amazon Prime and Zee5 with remastered picture and sound in 2025.

5. Has Sholay inspired any recent Bollywood films or web series?

Yes, several recent action films and web series in 2024–2025 have drawn inspiration from Sholay’s storyline, iconic dialogues, and characters.

6. Who directed the film Sholay?

Sholaywas directed by Ramesh Sippy and released in 1975.

7. Who played the role of Gabbar Singh in Sholay?

Amjad Khan portrayed the iconic villain Gabbar Singh, delivering one of Bollywood’s most memorable performances.

8. Where was Sholay filmed?

Most of Sholaywas filmed in the village of Ramnagaram in Karnataka, which has since become a popular tourist spot.

9. How successful was Sholay at the box office?

Sholaywas one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time and ran for over five years in some theaters.

10. Why is Sholay considered a classic?

Sholayis considered a classic for its perfect blend of action, drama, romance, memorable dialogues, and unforgettable characters.

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