Dono trailer launch: Kamal Kumar Barjatya opens up on Rajshri’s Sholay CONNECTION; also reveals how their distribution strategy was REVOLUTIONARY: “Poori industry ko humne free kar diya”

By Fenil Seta -

September 4, 2023 - 4:32 PM IST

The trailer launch of Dono was an emotional affair. It launches Sunny Deol’s son Rajveer Deol and Poonam Dhillon and Ashok Thakeria’s daughter Paloma. That’s not all. It is also the directorial debut of Sooraj Barjatya’s son, Avnish S Barjatya. As a result, the trailer launch was also graced by Sunny Deol, Poonam Dhillon, Ashok Thakeria and Sooraj Barjatya. Kamal Kumar Barjatya and Ajit Kumar Barjatya also made a rare appearance. As expected, the veterans went down memory lane.

Dono trailer launch: Kamal Kumar Barjatya opens up on Rajshri’s Sholay CONNECTION; also reveals how their distribution strategy was REVOLUTIONARY: “Poori industry ko humne free kar diya”

The host reminded the attendees that Rajshri Productions had produced Jeevan Mrityu (1970), starring Rajveer Deol’s grandfather and Sunny Deol’s father, Dharmendra. Directed by Satyen Bose, this Rakhee co-starrer ran for 100 weeks in the matinee show at Mumbai’s Alankar cinema.

Kamal Kumar Barjatya then revealed that their banner, Rajshri, has a connection with the classic film Sholay (1975), starring Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan. Kamal said, “Dharam ji inspired us to release Sholay. Thanks to him, we distributed the film almost all over India, except a few territories. We created history. Dharam ji ne apne family ke liye partnership ki hamare saath Punjab territory ke liye jahan picture super-hit thi.”

Kamal Kumar Barjatya also revealed how Sholay helped free the monopoly of certain theatres, ultimately benefiting all the players in the ecosystem. He revealed, “Some main cinema theatres (had a monopoly). These exhibitors used to call their theatres 'engines' and would add, 'Engine ke bina gaadi chal nahin sakti'. I said, 'We'll free ourselves from your clutches by releasing the film in a matinee show (in other theatres). Uske baad poori industry free ho gayi from the (monopoly of) these cinemas.”

Dharmendra wasn’t present but in a video message played at the trailer launch, he spoke fondly about Jeevan Mrityu, “I was just watching Jeevan Mrityu again some days back. I recommend everyone to watch it. It's a meaningful film. It doesn't seem like the artists are acting.”

Also Read: Dono: Armaan Malik croons the romantic title track of Rajveer Deol and Paloma starrer, watch video