Forget Spaghetti Westerns. During the heydays of the Westerns, these Bollywood movies introduced viewers to a new hero: the Desi Cowboy.
Bring out the poncho, dust off that hat, and get that harmonica music flowing, the cowboys are returning from the sunset and back into the limelight. With the success of movies such as Power of the Dog and series like Yellowstone, it’s safe to say that the Westerns are making a comeback.
And as we’ve all come to know, what works in Hollywood can also bear fruit in Bollywood. Modern-day Westerns in Bollywood, such as the criminally underrated Sonchiriya and the impressive Laal Kaptaan starring Saif Ali Khan, show that the industry has learned how to incorporate the ingredients of the Western genre into a product that’s grounded in the themes and customs of the country.
But that wasn’t always the case. The period from early 1940 to 1960 is generally considered the golden age of Westerns in Hollywood with movies such as The Searchers, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, My Darling Clementine, and so many more. However, towards the end of that era, as Hollywood was moving away from Westerns, the cowboy, instead of hanging his hat, decided to ride to Italy. With Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns, the world discovered Clint Eastwood, the Western genre got its second wind, and Bollywood discovered a love for cowboys.
From Feroz Khan — coincidentally known as the ‘Clint Eastwood of Bollywood’ — to Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha, Mithun, Amitabh, and even as late as the late 1980’s with stars such as Sunny Deol and Anil Kapoor, — who starred in my favorite Western growing up with the song that’s still my go-to adrenaline pumper when I’m facing a cold shower — Bollywood took to the Western genre with both arms.
Logic, common sense and cultural appropriation all took a backseat as the angry young man turned overnight into the lone vigilante, exchanging his kolhapuri chappals for cowboy boots, slipped his hat on, got on his horse, with the saddlebags and Winchester, and rode off to save damsels, help needy villagers and, basically, just wreak havoc.
Without further ado, here are ten times Bollywood showed us how the Wild West was tamed with a side ordering of pav bhaji.
Khote – Sikkay (1974)
Directed by Narendra Bedi, this Feroz Khan-starrer draws inspiration from The Magnificent Seven. Khan plays Dilbar, a mysterious cowboy who trains villagers to fight a merciless dacoit (Ajit). The film solidified Khan’s reputation as the “Clint Eastwood of Bollywood.” The music and the style are all Leone-inspired, and you can’t fault the execution.
Don’t tell us this isn’t cool.
Kaala Sona (1975)
Who else but Feroz Khan, again, stars as a millionaire seeking revenge against his father’s killer (Prem Chopra) in this Ravikant Nagaich-directed film. Known for its fast-paced action and Spaghetti Western-inspired aesthetics, it features iconic music by R.D. Burman.
Sholay (1975)
Ahh, yes, the one movie to rule them all. Sholay is a landmark Bollywood film heavily influenced by Western tropes. Setting the standard for what would be replicated millions of times, it features dacoits, horseback chases, and a revenge-driven plot. There’s action, romance, revenge, drama, unforgettable songs, it’s so much more than a regular run-of-the-mill desi Western. It’s got a heart that’s rooted in local culture.
And that’s why it became legendary because it, to some extent, made the story more local and real. And then you had the Jai-Veeru jori of Dharmendra and Amitabh and the iconic Gabbar Singh, portrayed by the late Amjad Khan. You can’t get better than that. In case you want to find out what went behind the making of this cult classic, we recommend Anupama Chopra’s book: Sholay: The Making of a Classic
Humse Hai Zamana (1983)
Directed by Deepak Bahry, this Mithun Chakraborty and Danny Denzongpa-led film revolves around brothers avenging their father’s murder. It incorporates themes of betrayal and justice, with elements reminiscent of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Kudos to Danny for really channeling his inner cowboy.
Joshilaay (1989)
Now, this one’s a personal favorite. What’s not to love? The songs, the cinematography, the whole vibe. It’s like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne learned how to speak perfect shuddh Hindi. And credit where it’s due, there aren’t many Bollywood actors who ride better than Sunny. In fact, minor trivia: the horse he rides in this movie is, I believe, his personal favorite as it’s in nearly all his movies. Starring Sunny Deol and Anil Kapoor, this revenge drama follows two friends targeting corrupt landlords. Its action sequences and rugged settings align with classic Western motifs.
Zalzala (1988)
My personal gripe is for giving away the ending right at the start with the name. But hey, in Bollywood, if there’s one thing we love, it’s to be spoon-fed or hit over the head with plot twists — see what we did there? — because who comes to the movies to think? Inspired by Mackenna’s Gold, this adventure film features Dharmendra and Shatrughan Sinha in a quest for hidden treasure, blending cowboy aesthetics with disaster elements.
Also Read: Virasat: The Moonch That Revived Anil Kapoor’s Career
Chunaoti (1980)
Another Western, another Feroz Khan starrer. We should just call this list ‘Feroz Khan wears a Hat’. As if we didn’t have enough handlebar moustaches, this time Danny Denzongpa also joins in the facial hair fad of the ’80s. Directed by Satpal, this film features Feroz Khan as Vijay, who hires a bandit (Dharmendra) to combat a notorious outlaw terrorizing his orphanage.
Laparwah (1981)
If you can imagine Eastwood staying for too long in the sun and getting a nice tan, than this action-packed drama starring Mithun Chakraborty is just what you need. Eastwood, we mean Mithun-da is Shera, hired to marry a wealthy Thakur’s daughter for financial gain. The film is classic Bollywood, filled with masala elements and showcases the cowboy aesthetic prevalent in many 80s Bollywood films.
Kachche Heere (1982)
You know it’s going to be a kickass Western when you see Feroz Khan sporting a handle bar moustache that even the Pancho Villa would be proud of. And no, that’s not Reena Roy doing a Hotline Bling reference in the poster. A sequel to Khote – Sikkay, this film follows Feroz Khan as he seeks vengeance against the dacoit who killed his father. The narrative is steeped in themes of family honor and revenge, set against a backdrop reminiscent of classic Westerns.
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1984)
This film stars Mithun Chakraborty as Vikram, an honest forest officer wrongfully accused of murder. A two-gun-wielding, cigar-chewing, white stetson-wearing straight-from-the-Wild-West-teleported forest officer, that is. His quest for justice and revenge against a powerful dacoit fits well within the cowboy genre’s framework.
Jagir (1984)
Rounding out the list is a ‘Where’s Waldo of Bollywood Westerns’ featuring all your favorites. Hey, wait a second, where’s Feroz Khan? Hmm, must’ve been on a cattle drive or chasing bandits across the border. Featuring Dharmendra and Mithun Chakraborty as musketeers seeking revenge for a father’s murder, this film showcases classic Western motifs with its horseback riding and action sequences.
So, there you have it. A smorgasbord of Pav Bhaji Westerns to get you hooked on to a beloved phase of Bollywood. It’s always fascinating when a film genre, seemingly declining and losing its appeal among local audiences, refuses to kick the bucket and moves overseas instead, gaining a new following. More often than not, the infusion of a different cultural perspective can reinvigorate a fading genre. This transition not only rejuvenates the genre but also permanently alters its standing in cultural consciousness, as we saw with the cowboys coming to Bollywood.
As a parting song, here’s a song from Joshilay.
It’s perfect for all sorts of situations. Your better half wants you to get off the couch for once?
Joshilayyy *pause for iconic western music*
Yeh naheen jaatay hain kaheen pe
OR
Your mom wants to eat your veggies?
Joshilayyy *again, pause for that unbeatable soundtrack*
Yeh naheen khatay hain karelay
Try getting that catchy number out of your head.
You’re welcome.
