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Nuggets of Sholay: Seven - Loha Lohe Ko Katata Hai

Nuggets of Sholay — Seven: Loha Lohe Ko Katata Hai | Sholay Proverbs Explained

Nuggets of Sholay — Seven: Loha Lohe Ko Katata Hai

In case you’ve not been following, I’ve been writing about nuggets hidden in the movie Sholay, that are being presented a bit hatke (differently). And in this episode, I’m choosing a proverb that always has me puzzled.

Muhavra: Loha Lohe Ko Katata Hai (लोहा लोहे को काटता है)

During the 40th minute, Thakur Sahab and his minion Ramlal meet Jai and Veeru at the halfway house. Thakur is giving a supari (contract) to them for catching Gabbar Singh — the first time his name is mentioned in the movie. Jai, ever the sharp one, asks why Thakur chose them even though they’re rogues themselves. Thakur replies triumphantly: “Isliye, ke loha lohe ko katata hai.”

The English equivalent is “diamond cuts diamond.” It means it takes something of equal strength to defeat another. On a humorous note, Gangs of Wasseypur extended the line with Piyush Mishra’s now-iconic voiceover: “Jaise loha lohe ko katata hai... waise ch**tiya hi to ch**tiye ko katata hai.”

Loha Lohe Ko Katata Hai scene from Sholay
Loha lohe ko katata hai — Thakur’s legendary line

But the question still remains — why only iron or diamond have these properties? Why can’t gold cut gold, silver cut silver, or paper cut paper? Does this have a chemistry answer, a physics answer, or perhaps a philosophy answer?

Readers, please enlighten me.

That was the nugget. Samjhe ke nahin? Agar achha laga to comment kijiye. Agar achha nahin laga to lament kijiye.

Goodbye, aadab and namaste.

🔗 Continue the series:
← Previous: Ghoda Ghas Se Dosti Karle To Khayega Kya
Next: Aam Ke Aam, Gutliyon Ke Daam →

See all Nuggets of Sholay posts

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