 In 1958, Ashok Kumar (I) (qv) had signed on to play the role of  Salim, who was to be a businessman. When filming was resumed in  1968, Dharmendra (I) (qv), Rajendra Kumar (I) (qv) and  Sunil Dutt (qv) were considered for the role. When  Raaj Kumar (qv) accepted the role, it was modified from a  businessman to a forest ranger to match Kumars rugged build. Ashok  Kumar was still on, though now he was to play Hakim Saab; but he  instead played Shahabuddin, while Hakim Saab was played by  D.K. Sapru (qv).