‘Took 3 days to shoot my dead body scene in Sholay’: Sachin Pilgaonkar

Veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, who played the role of a teen boy, Ahmed, in Ramesh Sippy’s epic Sholay, recalls precious memories attached to the film as it marks 50 glorious years of its release on August 15. He exclusively tells mid-day about getting the opportunity to not just act but also observe everything that happened behind the scenes. From shooting his gut-wrenching death sequence to fond anecdotes from set, Pilgaonkar gets candid with us. 

Sachin Pilgaonkar on Sholay death scene

Pilgaonkar was an established child actor and wasn’t alien to the world of cinema. He was 16 when Sippy wanted to cast him. He was briefed on how his death would become a turning point in the story. “He needed someone who could move the audience emotionally. He remembered my performance in Brahmachari and felt I would be right for the role.”

The Nadiya Ke Paar actor recalls leaving as early as 5 am to reach the set located at Ramnagara, where an entire village was built. “My first shooting day scene was of my dead body being brought into the village after Gabbar kills Ahmed. It took three days to shoot and included almost the entire cast,” he reminisces. 

He further adds that Sippy gifted him his first air conditioner, a Fedders Lloyd, which he installed at home. “It remains a special memory. I will always be thankful to Ramesh Saab for encouraging my enthusiasm, giving me the chance to learn, and making me part of this historic film.”

Sachin Pilgaonkar on deleted Sholay scene

Unfortunately, the scene in which Sachin’s character is captured and killed by Gabbar Singh was trimmed for the sake of runtime. It is available on the internet now. When asked what he thought of the same, the actor asserts, “I was initially disappointed when it was removed from the final cut, but I understood why from the director`s point of view. I was informed that the length of the film needed to be controlled. Also, Ramesh Ji felt it would be too cruel to show the killing of a 16–17-year-old boy.”

He concludes by stating, “The history of Indian cinema cannot be written without mentioning Sholay. It is a celebration. It can never be remade.”