Sholay's Stuntwoman Reshma Pathan: The Unsung Heroine

Mumbai, Aug 15 (PTI) “Sholay” is eternally cherished for iconic characters such as Jai-Veeru, Thakur, and the notorious Gabbar Singh, but it also transformed the life of stuntwoman Reshma Pathan. Reshma, who served as the body double for Hema Malini’s Basanti in Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 epic, dedicated herself entirely to the film, which has since become a cult classic in Indian cinema. Pathan, now 71, captured Malini’s walk and body language, especially for the memorable tonga sequences. She reminisces about her commitment, performing about three to four pivotal scenes, including when Basanti picks up Jai (played by Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (played by Dharmendra) from the railway station and the famous song ‘Koi Haseena Jab Rooth Jaati Hai Toh’. “I gave it my all for the tonga scenes, working extremely hard,” she shared in an interview with PTI. One significant injury occurred during a tonga sequence, when a wheel hit a stone, causing her to lose balance and fall hard. She had to get 17 stitches on her leg during a time when she was eagerly preparing for her sister’s wedding and required money. Despite being advised to take a break due to her injury, Pathan pleaded with her mentor, fight director S Azim, to let her retake the sequence. ‘Let me try the tonga sequence again. If it works, it will be beneficial for both of us,’ she argued. Although her legs were swollen, Pathan managed to rehearse and film the crucial tonga scene, not revealing her bleeding legs to the crew because she didn’t want to lose the opportunity to earn. “I told them I could do it, even though I was in pain,” she recalled. Her remarkable work in “Sholay” became a defining moment in her career, bringing much-deserved acclaim her way. Offers poured in, and Pathan often juggled three shifts a day. Her career spans over 500 films, working alongside notable Bollywood actors from the 70s and 80s, including greats like Waheeda Rehman, Rekha, Sridevi, and Dimple Kapadia. Discussing her rapport with Hema Malini, Pathan recalled their camaraderie, noting that Malini would often recommend her for work to other directors. “I was just like Hema ji’s Basanti in ‘Sholay’, lively and talkative,” she remarked. She also shared a warm relationship with co-stars Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan. “Jaya ji was more reserved, but Amit ji and Dharam ji spoke with me often,” she said. Pathan reminisced about a generous gesture from Dharmendra, who gifted her Rs 100 as appreciation during a scene where she saved a child with the horses. When “Sholay” became a blockbuster, Pathan gained fame and became a beloved guest on numerous chat shows. “Following the film’s success, many people recognized the work I had done, leading to numerous job offers. 'Sholay' was the biggest of these films, and that’s how I became known as the ‘Sholay’ girl,” she added. In 2019, Pathan’s inspiring life story was immortalized in the film “The Sholay Girl,” streaming on ZEE5, with actor Bidita Bag portraying her under the direction of Aditya Sarpotdar.