A.K.Hangal quits "Ram Gopal Varma ke Sholay"
By our Media correspondent
In yet another blow to Ram Gopal Varma and his attempts to remake the classic "Sholay", A.K.Hangal today announced he was leaving the project. When contacted by this website, he said "there were artistic differences with the creative team". However, sources close to the veteran actor said that Hangal-saab was keen on playing the role of "Ramlal" (played in the original by Satyen Kappu) and was promised it. However, now the role has been offered to Ramu regular Antara Mali because Hangal was not willing to speak any foul words on screen.
Mr. Hangal refused to confirm this, though he did accept that back in 1974 while making the original, when Ramesh Sippy first narrated the script to him, he was blown away by the role of Ramlal and had wanted to play it. However Sippy convinced him to take on the role of Imaam Saheb instead as Ramlal needed a person who was, as he politely put it, "not hirsutely challenged". The source said: if Amitabh can play his dream role, then Hangal-saab, being an industry veteran, could surely do the same, and should have been accomodated.
The mounting controversy does not seem to have affected the maverick director. Ramu has roped in Antara Mali to play the Thakur's manservant. "Actors come and go, but it's a hairy role", he quipped. Already, it is rumoured that the role has been re-written as a young all-dancing bodyguard. Mali will be taking special lessons on polishing studs of sports-shoes to act as deadly weapons, and she will play the valet with a curious arpeggio laugh.
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