Sholay: ‘Ramesh Sippy didn’t direct the entire Sholay’: Sachin Pilgaonkar reveals Gabbar Amjad Khan and he shot most of the film

Sholay, released in 1975, remains one of the most iconic films in Indian cinema. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, the movie is a blend of action, drama, and adventure, pulling influences from Spaghetti Westerns, heist movies, and samurai films. Nearly 49 years since its release, the film continues to be a cultural touchstone for both filmmakers and audiences. Despite the film’s legendary status, new anecdotes about its making still surface, shedding light on behind-the-scenes dynamics.

Behind the Scenes: Sachin Pilgaonkar’s Experience

Recently, actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar shared some untold stories about his time on the sets of Sholay. Pilgaonkar, who worked as an assistant director on the film, recalled that Ramesh Sippy would personally direct scenes featuring the film’s lead actors but delegated some action sequences to a second unit.

“Rameshji decided to have a second unit to do some action sequences which don’t feature the main stars. These were just passing shots,” Sachin said during an interview with the YouTube channel Khaane Mein Kya Hai.

To handle these scenes, Sippy enlisted the help of Mohammed Ali, a well-known stunt filmmaker, and action director Azim, who brought in two Hollywood professionals, Jim and Jerry. Sachin further shared that Ramesh Sippy assigned him and Amjad Khan—who played the iconic role of Gabbar Singh—to represent him in managing the second unit.

The Unique Role of Sachin and Amjad Khan

Sachin explained that their involvement came about somewhat humorously. “At that time, there were only two bekaar (useless) people in the unit: one was Amjad Khan and the other one was me,” he quipped. According to Sachin, both he and Amjad were interested in directing, a fact Ramesh Sippy knew. As a result, they were given an opportunity to oversee the second unit’s activities, a role that kept them close to the action even when the main cast wasn’t on set.

Filming Iconic Scenes Without the Director

Sachin also recounted a particular instance involving the film’s famous train robbery scene, which was shot along the Bombay–Poona railway route near Panvel. Ramesh Sippy was not present for this portion of the shoot, as he only directed scenes involving stars like Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar. “He was supposed to come only when Dharamji, Amitji, and Hari bhai (Sanjeev Kumar) had work. Rameshji shot those portions, and we handled the remaining scenes,” Sachin added.

Sholay’s Enduring Legacy

Even after nearly five decades, Sholay continues to inspire and influence Indian cinema. With its powerful storytelling, memorable characters, and iconic scenes, the film remains a benchmark for filmmakers. The stories shared by Sachin Pilgaonkar offer a glimpse into the collaborative and creative environment that made the film such a success, highlighting the contributions of every individual involved, from the stars to the second unit.Sholay is more than just a film; it is a cinematic masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences, both young and old, and its legacy remains intact.