New Delhi: Nearly five decades after its release, Sholay continues to spark debate not over its immortal dialogues or unforgettable characters, but over who exactly contributed behind the scenes. In a surprising twist, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy has publicly reacted to remarks made by veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, who recently said he had directed portions of the legendary film.
Breaking his silence, Ramesh Sippy expressed strong disapproval of these claims. In an exclusive interview with TV9, the filmmaker said, “Ask him what his age was at that time… must have been about 16 or 17. He was an assistant to the action team of Jim and Jerry, who had come from England. The local boys didn’t understand their English. Whenever Sachin and Amjad Khan were free, they would work as interpreters for them, and that’s about it.”
This sharp rebuttal comes after Sachin, in a recent interview with Kunal Vijaykar, recalled that Sippy had entrusted him and Amjad Khan with overseeing certain action sequences. Pilgaonkar also claimed that Sippy had formed a second unit to handle stunts, roping in action specialists Jim and Jerry from Hollywood, along with local fight masters Mohd. Ali and Azim Bhai. According to Sachin, he and Amjad were “the only two idle people” on set and were asked to represent Sippy in supervising the outsiders.
For a film that is considered the crown jewel of Indian cinema, the controversy has stirred curiosity among fans about how much of the behind-the-scenes lore can be verified. While Sachin remembers playing a larger role in the making of Sholay, Sippy’s categorical dismissal leaves little doubt in his mind about who truly helmed the project. Almost 50 years on, Sholay continues to be more than a film; it’s a battleground for memories, egos, and filmmaking legacy.