 The producers considered Danny Denzongpa for the role of bandit chief Gabbar Singh , but he could not accept it as he was committed to act in Feroz Khan 's Dharmatma ( 1975 ) , under production at the same time . Amjad Khan , who was the second choice , prepared himself for the part by reading the book Abhishapta Chambal , which told of the exploits of Chambal dacoits . The book was written by Taroon Kumar Bhaduri , the father of fellow cast member Jaya Bhaduri . As cast members had read the script ahead of time , many were interested in playing different parts . Pran was considered for the role of Thakur Baldev Singh , but Sippy thought Sanjeev Kumar was a better choice . Initially , Dharmendra was also interested to play the role of Thakur . He eventually gave up the role when Sippy informed him that Sanjeev Kumar would play Veeru if that happened , and would be paired with Hema Malini , who Dharmendra was trying to woo . Dharmendra knew that Kumar was also interested in Malini . Sippy wanted Shatrughan Sinha to play the part of Jai , but there were already several big stars signed , and Amitabh Bachchan , who was not extremely popular yet , lobbied hard to get the part for himself . 
 The producers considered Danny Denzongpa for the role of bandit chief Gabbar Singh , but he could not accept it as he was committed to act in Feroz Khan <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>Dharmatma ( 1975 ) , under <a href='negative_concord' title='2'><mark>production</mark></a> at the same time . Amjad Khan , <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a>was the second choice , prepared himself for the part by reading the book Abhishapta Chambal , which told of the exploits of Chambal dacoits . The book was written by Taroon Kumar Bhaduri , the father of fellow cast member Jaya Bhaduri . As cast members <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>had</mark></a> read the script ahead of time , many <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> interested in playing different parts . Pran was considered for the role of Thakur Baldev Singh , but Sippy thought Sanjeev Kumar was a better choice . Initially , Dharmendra was also interested to play the role of Thakur . He eventually gave up the role when Sippy informed him that Sanjeev Kumar would play Veeru if that happened , and would be paired with Hema Malini , who Dharmendra was trying to woo . Dharmendra knew that Kumar was also interested in Malini . Sippy wanted Shatrughan Sinha to play the part of Jai , but <a href='dey_it' title='6'><mark>there</mark></a> <a href='been_done' title='7'><mark></mark></a> <a href='uninflect' title='8'><mark>were</mark></a> already several big stars signed , and Amitabh Bachchan , <a href='null_relcl' title='9'><mark>who</mark></a><a href='negative_concord' title='10'><mark>was</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='11'><mark>not</mark></a>extremely popular yet , lobbied hard to get the part for himself . 
The producers considered Danny Denzongpa for da role of bandit chief Gabbar Singh , but he could not accept it as he was committed to act in Feroz Khan  Dharmatma ( 1975 ) , under no production at tdasame time . Amjad Khan , was the second choice , prepared hisself fir thdaart by reading the book Abhishapta Chambal , which tld of the exploits of Chambal dacoits . Thedaok was written by Taroon Kumar Bhaduri , the father of fellow cast member Jaya Bhaduri . As cast members done read the daipt ahead of time , many was interested in playing different parts . Pran was considered for the role of Thakur Baldev Singh , but Sippy thought Sanjeev Kumar was a better choice . Initially , Dharmendra was also interested to play the role of Thakur . He eventually gave up the rda when Sippy informed him that Sanjeev Kumar would play Veeru if dat happened , and would b paired with Hema Malini , who Dharmendra was tryna woo . Dharmendra knew that Kumar was also interested in Malini . Sippy wanted Shatrughan Sinha to play the padaof Jai , but it  been was already several big stars signed , and Amitabh Bachchan , ain't extremely popular yet , lobbied hard to get the part fir hisself .