There are mixed reactions from all quarters about these remakes, some favouring them and some against them.
But Bachchan says remakes of his old films show their popularity has endured the test of time.
“A remake is a compliment to the original, and truly a challenge to the ones who are doing the remake,” Bachchan told a newspaper.
“It's a tribute to the caliber of the earlier films,” the mega superstar added.
Bachchan said he begins shooting in a week for the ‘Sholay’.
“It's very complimentary to the films, not to me. It means people still identify with those films,” Bachchan, who is know for his modesty, said.
Varma’s remake has Bachchan as Gabbar (played in the original by late Amjad Khan), Ajay Devgan as Veeru (played in the original by Dharmendra ), Mohit Ahlawat the quiet Jai (played by Bachchan in the original), Katrina Kaif will play the widow Radha ( Jaya Bachchan essayed the role in the original), Mohanlal being cast for the role of Thakur (played by Sanjeev Kumar in the original) and Sushant Singh cast as Gabbar's henchman, Sambha – Varma plans to wrap up the film in two month's time.
That Esha Deol will play the role of Basanti immortalized by her mother Hema Malini in the original isn’t confirmed yet.
What Amitabh Bachchan thinks of his films' remakes
