Satte Pe Satta poster / Prime Videos

Drama, Double Roles, and Destiny

When Satte Pe Satta hit the silver screen in 1982, it instantly captivated audiences with its riveting story, unforgettable songs, and a stellar cast led by the towering presence of Amitabh Bachchan. Alongside him, Hema Malini, Amjad Khan, Ranjeeta Kaur, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Sudhir, Shakti Kapoor, Kanwarjit Paintal, Kanwaljit Singh, and Vikram Sahu delivered performances that fit perfectly into the vibrant, chaotic narrative.

What many don't know is that behind this rollicking musical comedy was a dramatic, even chaotic, behind-the-scenes journey filled with major casting changes and production challenges. Little did anyone realize at the time that after all the twists and turns, Satte Pe Satta would someday be celebrated as a cult classic.

The Endeavour

Directed by Raj N. Sippy and produced by Romu Sippy, Satte Pe Satta was loosely adapted from the 1954 Hollywood musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, itself inspired by Stephen Vincent Benét's short story The Sobbin' Women, based on the ancient Roman legend of the Rape of the Sabine Women.

The Indian adaptation, however, needed to be reimagined to fit the mood and expectations of Bollywood audiences. True to the Bollywood spirit, writers Satish Bhatnagar, Kader Khan, and Jyoti Swaroop infused the story with added layers of drama, action, music, and a double-role twist - all while aligning with Amitabh Bachchan's "angry young man" image, which dominated the era.

The story follows seven unruly brothers living on a chaotic farmhouse. Their wild lives begin to transform when the eldest brother, Ravi Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), marries the sophisticated Indu (Hema Malini). Her presence starts a domino effect, civilizing the brothers one by one.

The plot thickens when Ravi's lookalike, Babu, is hired by a scheming uncle, Ranjit Singh (Amjad Khan), to impersonate Ravi and murder the wealthy but disabled heiress Seema Singh (Ranjeeta Kaur). Unexpectedly, Babu falls in love with Seema, leading to a cascade of complications.

Initial Cast

Initially, the makers had envisioned an even grander ensemble cast. While Amitabh Bachchan was always the first and only choice for the lead role, the supporting cast underwent multiple revisions.

Rekha was originally considered for the female lead opposite Bachchan, but due to the growing distance between them at the time, that idea was dropped. Parveen Babi was then approached, but she suffered a nervous breakdown, leaving the project. Eventually, Amitabh Bachchan personally requested Hema Malini to step in. Despite being heavily pregnant during the shooting of the film, she graciously agreed. Hema gave birth to her first child just before the film's release, making her performance even more remarkable.

Mithun Chakraborty was initially offered Kanwaljit's role but, with his skyrocketing popularity, he opted out. Other stars like Raj Babbar and Amjad Khan were also considered for prominent brotherly roles, but scheduling conflicts and creative disagreements forced reshuffling. Actress Zaheera was the original choice for Ranjeeta Kaur's role, but when the makers decided to give Babu a romantic track, they opted for Ranjeeta Kaur instead.

Amitabh was also unwilling to work opposite much younger actresses like Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure, while Rati Agnihotri, though considered, was too busy with other projects. Tina Munim, involved with Rajesh Khanna at the time, turned down the offer as well.

There was even discussion of making Satte Pe Satta an even bigger multi-starrer - a grand ensemble in the vein of Amar Akbar Anthony. However, it was eventually decided that a slightly younger, less established cast would allow Amitabh's double role to shine without overshadowing the rest of the story.

Fresh Ensemble

Finally, actors like Sachin Pilgaonkar, Shakti Kapoor, Paintal, Sudhir, Kanwaljit Singh, and Vikram Sahu were cast as the brothers. Their mixture of innocence, humor, and raw energy created the perfect counterbalance to Amitabh's intense performance.

Their chemistry brought authenticity to the portrayal of seven mischievous yet lovable brothers who beneath all the roughness - had hearts of gold. Each character stood out yet blended seamlessly into the ensemble.

Double Trouble

Another interesting tidbit is that even after casting Amitabh Bachchan in the dual roles of Ravi and Babu, there were heated discussions on how drastically Babu's appearance should differ. Heavy prosthetics were initially tested, but they proved cumbersome and ineffective. In the end, the team trusted Bachchan's immense acting skills to distinguish the two characters through body language, voice modulation, and minor styling changes a decision that proved to be right on target.

The Legacy

Despite all the casting upheavals and production hurdles, Satte Pe Satta went on to become a beloved classic. It is remembered for its energetic ensemble cast, its chaotic yet heart warming portrayal of family, and its unforgettable soundtrack composed by R.D. Burman. Songs like "Pyaar Humein Kis Mod Pe Le Aaya" and "Dilbar Mere" continue to enjoy immense popularity to this day.

It is widely believed that Amitabh Bachchan purchased his now-famous house, Jalsa, with the fee he earned from Satte Pe Satta. A legendary story from the shoot tells of a scene where Amjad Khan gets Bachchan drunk, which was filmed inside what would soon become Jalsa.

Remake Saga

Over the years, Bollywood has often flirted with the idea of remaking Satte Pe Satta. Several attempts have been discussed, but none materialized.

In recent years, Rohit Shetty was reportedly planning a modern remake of the film, with Hrithik Roshan and Anushka Sharma rumored to be cast in the lead roles, directed by Farah Khan. However, the project was stalled when Shetty couldn't secure the remake rights. This again highlighted the enduring legacy of Satte Pe Satta a film so iconic that reimagining it remains a daunting task.

Satte Pe Satta remains a sparkling gem in the history of Bollywood cinema. Its journey from a chaotic, uncertain production to a celebrated cult classic mirrors the very story it tells beginnings, unexpected transformations, and a lasting bond of love and family.

Even today, new generations discover its magic, proof that in Bollywood, a truly great story like a truly great ensemble never grows old.