Filmmaker Rajiv Rai recently shed light on the dramatic behind-the-scenes story of the 1978 classic ‘Trishul’, revealing how his father, producer Gulshan Rai, demanded extensive reshoots and even gave Amitabh Bachchan an ultimatum to save the film.
A Producer’s Intuition
Gulshan Rai was renowned for his sharp instincts in the film industry, often knowing if a project would be a hit after hearing just a few minutes of its narration. Having previously collaborated with Amitabh Bachchan, Salim-Javed, and director Yash Chopra on the iconic film ‘Deewaar’, Rai had high expectations.
After watching the initial cut of ‘Trishul’, he felt the narrative wasn’t adequately focused on Amitabh Bachchan’s character. This conviction led him to believe that the movie desperately needed to be redone to reach its full potential.
The Bold Demand for Reshoots
Rajiv Rai recounted his father’s unwavering resolve. Gulshan Rai confronted Amitabh Bachchan directly, stating, “Will you give me dates? Otherwise, I’m trashing the film.” To the producer’s relief, Bachchan agreed to provide the necessary time for retakes.
According to Rajiv Rai, almost half of the film was subsequently reshot. The core issue was that the story had inadvertently diverted towards actor Sachin’s character instead of maintaining its focus on Amitabh Bachchan. Gulshan Rai famously lived by the mantra, “Films are not made, they’re remade.”
The Writers’ Perspective
Interestingly, the book ‘Written by Salim-Javed’ offers a slightly different take on the events. This account suggests that writers Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, along with director Yash Chopra, strategized how to approach Gulshan Rai about the need for additional filming.
Initially, when Gulshan Rai expressed his concerns about salvaging the film, Salim Khan humorously suggested not releasing it at all. The writers then decided to break the news about reshoots in “installments,” mirroring how the producer used to pay them.
‘Trishul’s’ Transformation and Legacy
Regardless of the exact sequence of events, these significant reshoots ultimately transformed ‘Trishul’ into a commercial success. The film received a considerable marketing push, with Salim-Javed’s names prominently positioned alongside Yash Chopra’s in all promotional materials.
This behind-the-scenes drama highlights the intense creative and financial pressures that often shaped classic Bollywood productions.
- Producer Gulshan Rai demanded extensive reshoots for ‘Trishul’ to center the narrative on Amitabh Bachchan.
- He reportedly gave Amitabh Bachchan an ultimatum, leading to nearly half the film being re-shot.
- Another account suggests writers Salim-Javed strategically informed the producer about the need for reshoots.
The story of ‘Trishul’ offers a unique glimpse into the challenging and often dramatic decisions that defined an era of Indian cinema.
