Zanjeer (1973)
The film was destined for Amitabh Bachchan who before that had worked in 12 films out of which 10 were flops, one did average business and only one was a hit that too in a supporting role (Anand). So Amitabh’s career was by and large over when he was offered the film Zanjeer.
The script written by Salim Javed was initially bought by Dharmendra for 2500 but his cousin sister asked him to not to do the film because of bad working experience with Prakash Mehra in the past. Prakash Mehra approached many actors including Rajkumar, Devanand, Rajesh Khanna etc but all of them refused. Rajkumar didn't like the getup of Prakash Mehra and refused, Devanand refused because there were no songs picturised on the lead actor and Rajesh Khanna thought the story is very grim. Eventually Salim Javed suggested the name of Amitabh Bachchan based on a clip from Bombay to Goa where Amitabh was fighting while eating a sandwich. The scene impressed the writers for his swag and eventually Amitabh was cast for the film.
But since Amitabh was a flop actor no big heroine was ready to cast opposite her. At that moment Jaya Bhaduri who was also in relation with Amitabh at that time got ready to work with him despite being a bigger star. Even Amitabh's father Harivansh Rai Bachchan thought that Amitabh Bachchan has signed a B grade stunt films and refused to come to the premiere of the film. But eventually Zanjeer became one of the biggest hits of the year. Sold for 12 lakhs per territory (72 lakhs in total) the film ended up earning 60 lakhs per territory (3.6 crores in total). And the film made Amitabh the angry young man.