‘Sab ko pata tha Hemaji aur Dharamji ka ishq chal raha hai': Hema Malini's Sholay body double Reshma Pathan
On Hema-Dharmendra's romance
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Reshma Pathan, who did all the stunts for Hema Malini in the Ramesh Sippy's directorial, recalls working with the actor on the set of Sholay.
'Hum sabko pata tha ke Hemaji aur Dharamji ka ishq chal raha hai (we all on the set knew that they are dating). But they never showed that on the set. They were always professional on the set. Set pe toh alag alag hi rehte the (on the set, they spent most of the time away from each other),' Reshma tells us.
The 71-year-old continues, 'Phele ke log, alag alag hi hote the aur set pe nahi dhikhate the (Actors from the old days were really different in private and didn't reveal it on set). So, Hemaji and Dharamji never let their love for each other show on the set. They were in the same hotel, but in different rooms. In the free time, Dharamji used to be with his team, and Hemaji used to spend time with her team, which included me too.'
'Today, I feel proud to see them still together. They are an icon and inspiration for all the couples,' Reshma shares.
On working on Sholay
Written by Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, Sholay has become a cult classic, remembered for its iconic dialogues, memorable songs, and the camaraderie between its characters – from the friendship of Jai and Veeru to the romance between Veeru and Basanti, and Gabbar's reign of terror in the village. Reshma credits the film for changing her life, and even years later, she's fondly remembered as 'The Sholay Girl'.
The film also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Jaya Bachchan, Iftekhar, AK Hangal, Jagdeep, Asrani, Mac Mohan, and Viju Khote.
'I got respect after the film, which I didn't get for any other project. I have worked a lot with Hema ji. She used to ask for me in every film…. We used to sit together, eat together, she used to take me to her place,' Reshma recalls.
She continues, 'Today, people remember the scene where tonga hits a rock and falls… Well, the film team forgot to replace the real wheel with the duplicate wheel, and the tonga fell on me after hitting the rock. It was retained in the film, but that was the planned scene. It is a memorable scene, but little do people know that I got 17 stitches on left leg, bruised my right leg and hurt my back.'
Reshma also mentioned that there was an incident when Dharamendra gave her ₹100 after she performed a deadly stunt during the Holi sequence.
'I refused to accept the money, but my master asked me to take it saying, 'He is giving it because he is happy with your shot'. That's when I accepted the moment from him,' she notes.
About Hema and Dharmendra
Hema and Dharmendra met for the first time in 1970, while working on their film Tum Haseen Main Jawaan. They got married in 1980 and share two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol. Hema and Dharmendra were one of the most popular on-screen pairings of the 1970s and starred together in a number of successful films including Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Dillagi, and Dream Girl.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
6 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Watch: Coolie vs War 2 – Hype Check, Sholay @ 50
Who delivered, who disappointed, and what both films reveal about the state of Indian blockbusters. Plus, a special look back at Sholay on its 50th anniversary and why it remains the blueprint for the true pan-India spectacle. And this week's TV Gold pick: Lokesh Kanagaraj's Maanagaram — a reminder of the filmmaker before the scale, before the stars, when the writing did the heavy lifting.
News18
16 minutes ago
- News18
This Sholay Actress, Married At 12, Was Bollywood's Beloved ‘Mausi'
Audiences still recall Leela Mishra as 'Mausi' in the 1975 classic Sholay, but talent was recognised in 1981 when she played Naani Maa. Leela Mishra was one of the most respected actresses in Indian cinema, known for her natural screen presence and powerful performances. She has worked for over 50 years and has appeared in more than 200 films. Audiences still recall her as 'Mausi' from the 1975 classic Sholay. Her talent was recognised in 1981 when she played Naani Maa, for which she earned the Best Actress award at the age of 73. The former actress got married at the age of 12 and became a mother at 17. Even after suffering a paralysis attack on set once, she chose to work. Let's look closer at her inspiring journey. Leela Mishra's Early Life Her entry into films happened unexpectedly. She was discovered by Mama Shinde, who worked with Dadasaheb Phalke's Nasik Cinetone. He convinced her husband, Ram Prasad Mishra, to let her act in movies. During that time, there was a major shortage of women actors in the industry, due to which she remained in demand and often much higher salary than male actors. Why She Chose Character Roles Over Lead Roles From her early years in cinema, Leela Mishra often played roles far older than her actual age. Actor Tabassum once shared a special memory about the late actress on her YouTube channel. She recalled interviewing the veteran actress in the 1970s, where Mishra openly spoke about why she never chose to be a leading lady. Mishra explained that the values she grew up with made it hard for her to play romantic roles on screen. She wasn't comfortable with confessing or showing love to a stranger in front of the camera. Because of this, she decided to do character roles. Despite her unique choice, it made her an unforgettable actress. Audiences love her for her strong screen presence as a mother, aunt or grandmother, which became her identity. Dedication Even After Personal Tragedy While working on Daata, alongside Mithun Chakraborty, Prem Chopra and Padmini Kolhapure, Leela Mishra faced a heartbreaking moment. During the shoot, she suffered a stroke, which left the entire crew and director shocked. She was immediately taken to Mumbai for treatment, but even in that difficult time, her main concern was not her health; it was her role. Sadly, she passed away soon after, leaving her last film incomplete. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
When Asrani Was Asked To Act Like Hitler By Ramesh Sippy In Sholay
Asrani shared how Ramesh Sippy guided him to craft Sholay's eccentric jailer, taking inspiration from Hitler's style of delivery. Ramesh Sippy's 1975 blockbuster Sholay turned 50 on August 15, solidifying its place as one of India's all-time classics. It has transcended the decades to become a larger-than-life cultural phenomenon. Every line, song, and shot remains alive in public memory, recalling generation after generation. Among its most unforgettable parts is Asrani's eccentric jailer, a character who became iconic despite having limited screen time. Speaking to BBC News Hindi, Asrani revisited how he landed the role and the unusual direction he received from filmmaker Ramesh Sippy. How Asrani Got The Role The seasoned thespian remembered the first encounter. 'I was called by Ramesh Sippy. I didn't know what role he was calling me for. In fact, I didn't even know that they were making a film called Sholay," Asrani remembered. At the office, he met Salim-Javed with a script. Sippy defined the role: 'This fellow is a jailer. He's a foolish guy, he imagines himself to be very clever, but he isn't. So he attempts to boast and play the part of a very authoritarian jailer. How would you do it?" At first, Asrani proposed wearing the uniform to discover the character. But Sippy had other plans. Hitler As An Unexpected Reference Asrani remembered how Sippy had given him a book with World War II pictures. 'He opened a book on the Second World War that contained nine poses of Hitler. I said, 'Oh my god, is this a role of Hitler?' They said, 'No, it's not Hitler, but this man acts like him, speaks like him,'" he told. Sippy continued: 'Forget about the wardrobe, just hold this in mind: Hitler, when he was around, was inspiring one whole generation of youngsters through his speeches and words. People were willing to kill themselves for him. That's the sort of influence this character has to leave. The director then turned his attention to the voice. 'Hitler's voice recordings are used in acting schools everywhere. The most important thing is the rise and fall in his voice. Ramesh Sippy said to me, 'We have to introduce that rise and fall in these dialogues,'" Asrani said. Legacy Of The Performance Once he had put on the wig, moustache, and uniform, Asrani delivered a monologue in character, and Sippy approved of it then and there. To this day, he attributes his performance to the director's imagination and Salim-Javed's script. Today, August 15th, as Sholay is celebrating 50 years, I must tell you—there has not been a single function or event where I have not been requested to deliver those dialogues. It's all because of Sippy Saab's direction and Salim-Javed's writing," he said. In another line with the same intent, Asrani added that no party he ever goes to fails to have people asking him to repeat those lines. He called the job a masterclass in preparation and acting's lifetime lesson. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
