Actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar recently spilled some fascinating behind-the-scenes secrets about the making of the iconic 1975 film Sholay. Speaking in an interview, Sachin revealed that while Ramesh Sippy is credited as the director, he didn’t shoot the entire movie! 😲
Who’s the Director Here? 🎥
According to Sachin, Sippy primarily directed scenes involving big stars like Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar. However, for many action sequences and scenes not featuring the lead actors, a second unit was in charge—and guess who handled those? Sachin and Amjad Khan, aka Gabbar Singh himself! 😱👑
Taking the Reins 🎬
“When Sippy wasn’t available, Amjad and I got the opportunity to manage the second unit. There were only two ‘useless’ people on set at the time: Amjad and me,” Sachin joked, adding that they were trusted to direct some intense action shots. 🚂🔥 Sachin humorously recalled how he and Amjad honed their directorial chops by shooting scenes like the famous train robbery sequence on the Bombay-Poona railway near Panvel.
The Dream Team 💫
To assist with the action scenes, Sippy enlisted the help of a stunt filmmaker, Mohammed Ali, along with action director Azim and two Hollywood professionals, Jim and Jerry. Together, they helped pull off some of the most thrilling moments in Sholay. 🌟
Sholay’s Enduring Legacy 📽️
Even after 49 years, Sholay remains a cinematic masterpiece that continues to influence Indian cinema. With unforgettable characters like Gabbar Singh and its brilliant storytelling, the film stands as a benchmark for filmmakers today. 🎞️💥
It’s safe to say that even behind the camera, the magic of Sholay was a true team effort! 💪