Film Critic Looks Back On Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Censorship Of Sholay

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India-West News Desk

MUMBAI (ANI)– Veteran film critic Bharathi S. Pradhan has shared insights into notable moments in Bollywood history, including aspects of Rajesh Khanna’s personal life, the media boycott of Amitabh Bachchan, and the censorship of Sholay.

Pradhan recalled an interview with Rajesh Khanna in which he spoke about his relationship with a live-in partner. When asked about it, he stated, “She and I are sharing the same toothbrush. What more do you want me to say about our relationship?” Pradhan noted her surprise at the remark but did not disclose the actress’s name.

Discussing Amitabh Bachchan, she detailed how, following the Emergency of 1975, several film magazines stopped mentioning him, believing he had played a role in media censorship alongside then Information and Broadcasting Minister V.C. Shukla. Some publications replaced his name with commas in filmographies. Aware of the situation, Bachchan positioned himself at the edge of group photos to make it easier for editors to crop him out.

On Sholay, Pradhan noted that the film faced scrutiny for its violent content at a time when censorship was strict. Despite this, it was released without major cuts, which some attributed to producer G.P. Sippy’s connections with V.C. Shukla. She also recalled watching the film with composer R.D. Burman.