Veeru

Veeru is a fictional character from the 1975 Indian film Sholay, directed by Ramesh Sippy. Portrayed by Dharmendra, Veeru teams with Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) as two young men who become freelance criminals before being hired to protect the village of Ramgarh from the dacoits led by Gabbar Singh. Veeru is depicted as fearless, witty, and loyal, with a bold, carefree demeanor that complements Jai’s cooler, more calculating style.

In the plot, Veeru and Jai are recruited by Thakur Baldev Singh to defeat Gabbar Singh and restore peace to Ramgarh. The partners’ camaraderie, humor, and mutual support drive much of the film’s action and emotional impact. Veeru also develops a romantic interest in Basanti, the village driver played by Hema Malini, adding a romantic subplot to the adventure. The duo’s dynamic and their stand against Gabbar’s gang contribute to Sholay’s enduring popularity and status as a landmark in Indian cinema.

Veeru’s character has left a lasting imprint on popular culture, serving as an archetypal bold, loyal sidekick-hero in Indian film. His confident one-liners and on-screen chemistry with Jai are frequently cited in discussions of classic Bollywood collaborations. The character helped elevate Dharmendra’s status as a leading man of the era and remains a reference point in discussions of Indian action-comedy cinema.

Veeru is also a masculine given name used in India. Derived from or associated with the word veer (brave), it is commonly used as a nickname or shortened form of longer names such as Veerendra. The name carries connotations of bravery and strength in Indian contexts.