‘Sholay’ is surely an iconic gem in Indian cinema, but did you know that the ‘Thug Life’ actor Kamal Haasan initially hated the film?During a promotional event for ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, Haasan made a startling and humorous confession, revealing that he once told Bachchan that he “hated” Sholay. The revelation came as the two legends shared their mutual admiration for each other and their work. While the south star was showering praise on Bachchan for his contribution to Indian cinema, Amitabh interrupted him over a video call to return the compliment, calling him “much greater than all of us” and lauding his dedication and realism in every role. “It is an honour to be in the same film as him,” Big B said.Kamal then went on to recount the moment he watched Sholay as a young assistant director. “I couldn’t sleep that night,” he recalled. “First, I hated the film so much, I hated the filmmaker even more!” he said with a laugh, referring to director Ramesh Sippy.Kamal explained that his intense reaction came not from dislike but from professional envy and awe. “As a technician, I couldn’t sleep that night,” he admitted. He later got the opportunity to work with Sippy and confessed to him that Sholay had such a powerful impact that it disturbed him professionally. The film’s technical brilliance and storytelling overwhelmed him as a budding filmmaker, stirring a complex blend of admiration and frustration.Full-Circle Moment of Mutual RespectKamal concluded the anecdote by expressing how surreal it felt to receive praise from someone he once watched in awe on the big screen. “Many such movies Amit ji has done, and to hear him say nice things about my films is something I had not imagined when I was an assistant director and watching Sholay,” he said emotionally.Kamal Haasan and Amitabh played pivotal roles in the film ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ which turned out to be a superhit at the box office.
