Ramlal: The unsung hero of Sholay

It's me again after a loooong time. This time I have a piece written by my colleague's wife (and a friend of course! Incidentally she is a pretty good writer as evident from this sample. Before I forget, her name is Shushma). I am sure almost all of the Indian populace have watched (may be too high an expectation, so let's make it 'heard') of 'Sholay'. For those who haven't, move fast as this is not gonna make much sense.

Anyway, enough bakar, here she goes:

Almost thirty years after its release, the blockbuster 'Sholay' still carries the same spell it made a debut with. Being India's first film in 70 mm with stereophonic sound, there would be hardly any such all-time-applauded movie. The film made use of several interesting innovations which include its spectacular cinematography; with shots panning over rocky heights and barren canyons, often under menacing clouds. It's worth saluting the director Ramesh Sippy for such a make.

The life-like portrayal of the characters in Sholay is perhaps what is never again seen in any other film. The names of each one of them, along with their idiosyncrasies have become a part of Indian day-to-day language. Who doesn't know of 'Soorma Bhopali' or 'Sambha', 'Kalia', 'Hariram Nai' or be it 'Angrezon ke zamane ka Jailor' or the obnoxious 'Mossi'. These lesser mortals of the movie too have become the lifetime legends in Hindi Film industry. What causes a pang of distress is that the most important character of the plot has always been left unnoticed. Not trying to pick out flaws, but yes, certainly it's time that the viewers pay due credit to this protagonist. 'Ramlal', the staunch man Friday of Thakur Baldev Singh has so many reasons to be celebrated till ages. You may wonder that what has this short, submissive, dhoti-clad and rarely speaking middle-aged man to do with heroics! Let's probe into details for the sake of this almost forgotten valour. I'm for sure elated in penning few of his numerous heroics which when considered, leaves Ramlal elevated to the highest levels of recognition. It's doubtful if even the story writers Salim-Javed could take note of Ramlal's ineffable contributions in the movie.

To begin with, the story hardly proceeds without Ramlal. How would have the Jailor reached Thakur's residence had Ramlal not gone to receive him at the station? Everything ends in the first reel itself; wherein the Jailor would have got lost into the jungles of 'Belapur', going insane or returning back without meeting the Thakur, and therefore no scene arise of Jai and Veeru being found.

One of the most famous dialogues of 'Sholay', (indeed of our lives too) that "Hum kaam sirf paison ke liye karte hain " (we work only for money), was vehemently voiced by Veeru. If mere at the utterance of the magical word 'Ramlal' had the 5000 Rupees not materialised, the story would have ended with Jai and Veeru returning to their petty ways of stealing. Thence, the terror of Gabbar would have been still rampant despite the best efforts of all concerned. Hail Ramlal the saviour!

In one famous scene, Thakur's hands were chopped mercilessly by the ferocious bandit Gabbar when he shouts " yeh haath mujhe de de thakur" (give me your hands Thakur). After losing both hands, Thakur Baldev Singh, the ex-cop couldn't even manage carrying his own self. Had Ramlal not been around, how could he ever think of punishing the villain! The loyal person, who was already his right hand, became both his hands . Jaya Bachchan as the 'bahu' (daughter-in-law) was too young to understand Thakur's frustrations. Ramlal was therefore solely responsible for keeping Thakur saheb sane.

Ramlal gave Jai and Veeru another 5000 when Thakur uttered just one word "Ramlal". This is the true sign of a banking ATM, where the entry of a pin ensures immediate flow of cash. Would it be any exaggeration to say that being 'Ramlal' gives him the credit for this discovery? (or at least for re-discovering it).

Here is one of the crucially significant acts of Ramlal. He stands being singularly responsible for saving Jaya Bachchan from the massacre at Thakur's bungalow by taking her to the temple. Had she not been saved, Jai would have decided to leave Ramgarh by tossing the coin and making the buffoon Veeru do as he said. Without Jaya Bachchan there would be no charm for Jai to stay at a place like Ramgarh and hunt for the brutal dacoit Gabbar; Ramlal maintains camaraderie of Jai and Veeru too. Ramlal's timely alert heralding the arrival of the 'Dakus' (dacoits) saved so many lives and casualties in Ramgarh - this has gone unrecorded yet in the annals of Bollywood history.

There could be marked just a few of the many traits that Ramlal has shown in the movie. This attempt at pointing out the slips of celluloid history should go a long way in making Ramlal a known person, and an integral part of the epic Sholay, in which he played an all powerful role.... without realising as such. Therefore it is time to give the hero his due, even after so many years.

Well noticed in Sholay was the flowing of cash just at the uttering of word 'Ramlal'. Why not pay this hero his due credit by calling ATMs as Ramlal? Or even a better tribute will be to open a 'Ramlal Bank' wherein its ATM will show-cast the picture of Sholay's Ramlal carrying money in hand. Would it be too much if I see some real Sholay-fan forming a 'Ramlal Club'? Curbing the endless we-should-do list for this simply great figure, let us vow, as the least, to give him his part of deserved fame and stardom. Ramlal shall remain, for the legion of his ever growing fans, the unsung, almost forgotten soldier of the epic masterpiece - Sholay.

Wayyy to go, Shushma. And thanks to Chair for providing the text of it.