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To make the mahurat shot of a film truly grand, a filmmaker undertook such extensive planning that it delayed the film’s production for three years. This led many to believe the film would never be completed. However, the movie did eventually release, although it underperformed at the box office but received positive word-of-mouth from the audience. This film features two superstars who left a lasting impact at the audience with their tremendous performance. We are talking about 1982-released Shakti starring Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar in lead roles.
Helmed by Ramesh Sippy, Shakti was the first and only film to feature Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar together. It also starred Rakhee, Smita Patil, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Amrish Puri in key roles. Made in Rs 10 crore, the action drama managed to earn Rs 8 crore at the box office. Though, it performed average when released, but still became one of the cult classics in Bollywood. Neetu Singh was first cast in the film but then she decided to quit the industry after marriage. So, Smita Patil was approached and she agreed to star alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar.
According to media reports, Shakti was announced in 1977 and a mahurat was kept in the same year. Director Ramesh Sippy wanted the mahurat shot to be so memorable that he planned that the hero of the film (Amitabh Bachchan) would arrive there in a helicopter. The shot happened, and Big B did arrive in the helicopter royally. Interestingly, the shot was never used in the film.
After the grand mahurat shot, Shakti got stuck for three years. The makers waned to complete the work of Shaan before releasing Shakti. It left fans disappointed as they were awaiting for Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan to see together for the first time. The rumours came across that the film would never be released.
However, Shakti did hit the theatres and received widespread love from the audience, becoming the highest-grossing films of the year.
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