Bhubaneswar: It’s Deewar that made Amitabh Bachchan’s stardom stay like an unbreakable ‘Wall’.
This film directed by Yash Chopra brings out Big B’s action thrills, and the wonder of his baritone voice. Released on Jan 24, 1975, this Indian action crime drama written by Salim–Javed ran in Indian cinema houses continuously for 2 years. The film witnessed 3.1 cr footfalls then.
The film also starred Shashi Kapoor, in an unforgettable role – whose Mere Paas Maa Hai… dialogue become the jargon of Indian society.
DEEWAR CRAZE
Amitabh Bachchan had become extremely popular after the success of Zanjeer (1973) and Majboor (1974), hence there was an immense craze for Deewar. Fans lined up from Marine Drive till Minerva (Mumbai) at the premiere of the film. The absolute frenzy surrounding the movie completely caught everyone off guard then, as Indian cinema had never seen this kind of mob hysteria.
Deewar ran for over 100 weeks. It is one of the only 13 films that grossed over 1 crore rupees in every territory across India between 1970s-1980s. It was classified as an "All time block buster" and super duper hit and considered among top 10 money-spinners of the industry in those days.
NIRUPA ROY EARNS MOTHER OF BOLLYWOOD TITLE!
Though, its Deewar that brought Nirupa Roy the Mother of Bollywood crown, she was not the first choice fro Amitabh’s mother.
As per the B-Town talk, the Mother's role was almost offered to Waheeda Rehman, since Yash Chopra had already cast her in Kabhi Kabhie (1976) as Amitabh Bachchan's wife, he was worried that if Kabhi Kabhie (1976) released first, the public may not accept her as Amitabh Bachchan's mother.
Then Vyjayanthimala was approached, but she turned it down.
Finally it was offered to Nirupa Roy. From this point on Nirupa went on to play Amitabh Bachchan's mother in many of his movies.
DEEWAR TRIVIA
- Salim-Javed demanded 8 lakh rupees after the success of the movie. This sum was unheard of in Bollywood then.
- Amitabh Bachchan's role was loosely based on famous Bombay smuggler Haji Mastan.
- The film got several awards but missed on the best actor award which Sanjeev Kumar got for Aandhi(1975).
- Yash Chopra first wanted to cast Dev Anand as Vijay and Rajesh Khanna as his younger brother Ravi in the film.
- However Dev Anand wasn’t too interested to do the role as he found the plot to be too cliched and predictable as one brother being a criminal and other being a righteous police officer.
- After Dev Anand denied, Yash wanted to cast Rajesh Khanna as Vijay and Navin Nischol as his brother, Ravi.
- Rajesh Khanna had date issues then.
- So, finally the role went to Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor.
