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By:

Rajeev Puri

24 October 2024 at 5:11:37 am

Before Sholay, there was Mera Gaon Mera Desh

When the comedian and television host Kapil Sharma recently welcomed the veteran screenwriter Salim Khan onto his show, he made a striking claim. India, he joked, has a national bird and a national animal; it ought also to have a national film. That film, he suggested, would surely be Sholay. Few would quarrel with the sentiment. Released in 1975 and directed by Ramesh Sippy,  Sholay  has long been treated as the Everest of Hindi popular cinema -quoted endlessly, revisited by generations and...

Before Sholay, there was Mera Gaon Mera Desh

When the comedian and television host Kapil Sharma recently welcomed the veteran screenwriter Salim Khan onto his show, he made a striking claim. India, he joked, has a national bird and a national animal; it ought also to have a national film. That film, he suggested, would surely be Sholay. Few would quarrel with the sentiment. Released in 1975 and directed by Ramesh Sippy,  Sholay  has long been treated as the Everest of Hindi popular cinema -quoted endlessly, revisited by generations and dissected by critics. In 2025, the film marked its 50th anniversary, and the release of a digitally restored, uncut version introduced the classic to a new generation of viewers who discovered that its mixture of revenge drama, western pastiche and buddy comedy remains curiously durable. The film’s influences have been debated almost as much as its dialogues – from scenes taken by the Spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone, particularly ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’ (1968) or to the narrative architecture of ‘Seven Samurai’ (1954) by Akira Kurosawa. Others note echoes of earlier Hindi films about bandits and frontier justice, such as ‘Khotey Sikke’ (1973) starring Feroz Khan. Yet, rewatching ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh,’ directed by Raj Khosla, one cannot help noticing how many of the narrative bones of  Sholay  appear to have been assembled there first. Released in 1971,  Mera Gaon Mera Desh  was a major hit at the box office, notable for holding its own in a year dominated by the near-hysterical popularity of Rajesh Khanna. The thematic framework of the two films is strikingly similar. In  Sholay , the retired policeman Thakur Baldev Singh recruits two petty criminals - Jai and Veeru - to help him avenge the terror inflicted upon his village by the bandit Gabbar Singh. In  Mera Gaon Mera Desh , the set-up is not very different. A retired soldier, Jaswant Singh, seeks to protect his village from a ruthless dacoit and enlists the help of a small-time crook named Ajit. Even the villain’s name seems to echo across the two films. In Khosla’s drama, the marauding bandit played by Vinod Khanna is scene-stealing performance is called Jabbar Singh. In  Sholay , the outlaw who would become one of Indian cinema’s most memorable antagonists was Gabbar Singh. There is an additional irony in the casting. In  Mera Gaon Mera Desh , the retired soldier Jaswant Singh is played by Jayant - the real-life father of Amjad Khan, who would later immortalise Gabbar Singh in  Sholay . The connective tissue between the two films becomes even clearer in the presence of Dharmendra. In Khosla’s film he plays Ajit, a charming rogue who gradually redeems himself while defending the village. Four years later, Dharmendra returned in  Sholay  as Veeru, a similarly exuberant petty criminal whose courage and irrepressible humour make him one half of Hindi cinema’s most beloved buddy duo alongside Amitabh Bachchan as Jai. Certain visual motifs also appear to have travelled intact. In Khosla’s film, Ajit finds himself bound in ropes in the bandit’s den during a dramatic musical sequence. A similar image appears in  Sholay , where Veeru is tied up before Gabbar Singh while Basanti performs the now famous song ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan.’ Other echoes are subtler but just as suggestive. Ajit’s pursuit of the village belle Anju, played by Asha Parekh, anticipates Veeru’s boisterous attempts to woo Basanti, portrayed by Hema Malini. Scenes in which Ajit teaches Anju to shoot recall the flirtatious gun-training sequence between Veeru and Basanti that became one of  Sholay ’s most cherished moments. Even the famous coin motif has a precedent. Ajit frequently tosses a coin to make decisions - a flourish that would later appear in  Sholay , where Jai’s coin toss becomes a running gag. Perhaps most intriguingly, the endings of the two films converge in their original form. In  Mera Gaon Mera Desh , the villain is ultimately killed by the hero. The uncut version of  Sholay  reportedly ended in a similar fashion, with Gabbar Singh meeting his death at the hands of Thakur Baldev Singh. However, censors altered the climax before the film’s 1975 release, requiring that Gabbar be handed over to the police instead. All this does not diminish  Sholay . Rather, it highlights the alchemy through which cinema evolves. The scriptwriting duo Salim–Javed took familiar ingredients and expanded them into a grander narrative populated by unforgettable characters and stylised action. On the 55 th  anniversary of  Mera Gaon Mera Desh , Raj Khosla’s rugged western deserves a renewed glance as the sturdy foundation on which a legend called  Sholay  was built. (The author is a political commentator and a global affairs observer. Views personal.)

Beyond Marks: Guiding Children with Support and Empathy

Marks do not define a child's worth. Build trust, listen with empathy, and help them rise with confidence and clarity.

The X Board results are out, ending the anxiety for both parents and children. Often, parents worry more about the future, while children feel pressured to meet expectations. Parents must offer support, empathy, and understanding, rather than focusing solely on marks and percentages.


In a career span of 17 long years as an educator, my observation and inference suggest a few guidelines for parents and children once the results are out.


For Parents

Stay composed and supportive: Parents need to be highly supportive, remain calm, and not subject the child to pressure in choosing a stream or to pursue something to which the child is not inclined.


Refrain from comparison: Do not compare your child with others or use harsh, judgemental comments that would break their morale and self-belief, which would make them feel like a loser. Instead, appreciate their efforts and performance and help them feel like winners, thereby building up confidence to win innumerable battles of life ahead.


Be positive: Avoid being critical. Offer positive feedback and guide them to focus on excellence and learning rather than just grades. Obsessing over marks can hinder the learning process and harm a child's mental well-being. Instead, reinforce positivity and celebrate the academic milestone they’ve achieved.


Open communication: Engage in open communication, speaking of their strengths, and convey the message that no matter what, your parents stand by them. This will boost their self-esteem, grow, and make them feel trusted, loved, and connected.


Build strong bonds: Parents should often engage in discussions with children regarding their academics, difficulties they face, stress or pressure, if any, and any insecurity they experience physically, emotionally, or psychologically. Make them feel very comfortable opening up with you. This builds a strong bond and makes an effort to blossom with each passing day.


Remember, a percentage is not a true measure of ability or intelligence. Every child is unique, with varying capacities. Some excel academically, while others are creatively gifted, depending on their interests. Judging them solely by marks is unfair.


Academic performance alone does not define personality—it must include qualities like confidence, humility, compassion, and competence. Being a good human being matters just as much as academic success.


Parents must go beyond providing material comforts and focus on shaping their child's life in all aspects. A holistic approach is key to helping an innocent child grow into a well-rounded adult.


Important Guidelines for Children

Once the results are out, take time to process them. Reflect on areas for improvement and plan your next steps.


Avoid comparison: Do not compare your performance with anyone's and focus on your goal, aspirations, and growth. Focus on communication skills, self-awareness, and accountability. This attitude and approach enable you to have a positive mindset and to be a strong individual.


Discus: Have an open and honest discussion with parents and mentors who will guide and help you sail toward growth orientation. Do not rush to decisions. Do not dwell on the past, either good or bad. Move ahead confidently, positively determined.


Practice relaxation: Limit your exposure to gadgets. Watch programmes or read books that have a positive impact, which induces a positive mindset. Exercising, deep breathing, mindfulness, engaging in hobbies, and seeking out new knowledge and skills elevate the mood and sleep pattern, thereby charging brain cells.


Seek help: If you are struggling with pressure or stress and are unable to cope with the process, reach out to your parents immediately for support, which they will surely extend.


Your success is your parents’ dream, selflessly cherished. Honour them with kind gestures of respect, love, and care—you owe them this warmth throughout life. Prove yourself not just academically, but as the son or daughter they raised with love and sacrifice. Never forget their efforts; make them feel valued and present in your life. As you climb the ladder of success, they’ll be your loudest cheerleaders, always praying for your happiness and well-being.


Together, parents and children can embrace and create an atmosphere full of support and positivity. Thus, navigating the process is eased, and the house will be filled with joy and exuberance.


Parents, kindly give wings to your children, and children, remember that when you fly high, it's just not your victory alone. It's the triumph of you and your parents both.


Wishing you good luck in all your future endeavours. Stay blessed always.


(The author is a tutor based in Thane.)

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