Bollywood's Legacy: How 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' Inspired Blockbusters 'Sholay' and 'Karma'

• Raj Khosla's 1971 film 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' starring Dharmendra, Asha Parekh, and Vinod Khanna, became a blockbuster and inspired two other iconic films.
• Vinod Khanna's villainous role as Jabbar Singh in 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' was a turning point, leading him to become a superstar and challenge Amitabh Bachchan's stardom.
• The film's plot, featuring a dacoit theme and a hero avenging injustice, laid the foundation for the legendary 'Sholay' (1975) and 'Karma' (1986).
• Similarities between 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' and 'Sholay' include Dharmendra's coin-flipping and gun-teaching scenes, and the villain's name (Jabbar vs. Gabbar Singh).
• Amjad Khan's father, Jayant, appeared in 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh', while Amjad Khan himself played the iconic Gabbar Singh in 'Sholay', a film that set box office records.

Why It Matters: 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' was a foundational film that inspired the plots of two of Bollywood's biggest blockbusters.