It Wasn’t Ramesh Sippy, But Amjad & I That Directed Most Of Sholay: Sachin Pilgaonkar

Few Bollywood films have left as lasting an impression as Sholay (1975), a timeless classic directed by Ramesh Sippy. With a stellar cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Jaya Bachchan, the film’s gripping storyline and unforgettable characters, like the menacing Gabbar Singh (played by Amjad Khan), have made it a benchmark in Indian cinema. Recently, actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, who portrayed Ahmed in the film, revealed some fascinating insights into the movie’s making process.

In an interview with Kunal Vijaykar for his YouTube show Khane Mein Kya Hai, Sachin shared that while Ramesh Sippy directed the key scenes with the main cast, other scenes were entrusted to him and Amjad Khan.

“Rameshji decided to have a second unit to handle action sequences that didn’t involve the main stars. These were passing shots. For this, he brought in Mohammed Ali bhai, a renowned stunt filmmaker, and an action director, Azim bhai. They also hired two Hollywood stunt experts, Jim and Jerry. Rameshji needed someone to represent him to guide these international experts, and since Amjad Khan and I weren’t busy at the time, we stepped in,” Sachin recounted humorously.

Sachin also recalled an iconic scene—the arrival of the train and the exploding logs. Hollywood experts Jim and Jerry initially wanted to capture the shot from the side. However, Sachin suggested filming from the front for a more dramatic effect. After a discussion, Amjad Khan supported his idea, and they placed two cameras—one for the side shot and one for the front. Ultimately, the front shot made it into the final cut, enhancing the scene’s impact. Sachin praised Amjad for being thoughtful and open to suggestions during the filming process.

These behind-the-scenes stories offer a glimpse into the collaborative efforts that made Sholay a masterpiece, with each actor and crew member contributing to its lasting legacy.