Fifty years have passed since the legendary film ‘Sholay’ first hit the screens. This classic movie, released on India’s Independence Day in 1975, continues to capture hearts. But beyond its grand sets, there’s a quieter story of how the villages near Navi Mumbai remember its creation. These communities along the Panvel-Uran Road still hold fond memories of the shooting days, which happened around 1972.
The Agri and Koli people lived there then, mostly farming rice and fishing. Each day, they would flock to the film set, captivated by the magic unfolding before their eyes. Imagine the buzz and excitement as a major movie came to their quiet villages.
A Taste of Friendship
Sanjay Shelar, now 62, shared a heartwarming story. Dharmendra, who played the daring Veeru, sometimes spent time with the locals. He would enjoy their simple, homemade food like dry fish and rice flour bread. In return, Dharmendra shared biryani or special meals cooked just for him with the villagers. It wasn’t just the stars; the crew members also exchanged food and drinks. They offered their own beverages, and villagers brought them refreshing homemade drinks. This sharing created a real bond between the film team and the community.
Local Spots, Iconic Scenes
While director Ramesh Sippy filmed most of ‘Sholay’ on rocky hills near Bengaluru, many scenes were shot right here on the Panvel-Uran road. The entire cast, including Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini, stayed at Praveen Hotel in Old Panvel. They even had a special space behind the hotel for keeping the horses.
Shelar recalls specific scenes filmed locally. The memorable moment where Basanti (Hema Malini) takes Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru from the railway station to Ramgarh? That was filmed near the Panvel railway station. Hundreds of young people and children would skip work or school just to watch the filming.
Changing Landscapes
Another iconic scene involved Veeru aiming at mangoes with his pistol, playfully flirting with Basanti while teaching her to shoot. This scene took place in a mango orchard in Chinchpada. Today, that green orchard has been replaced by a vehicle garage, a sign of how time changes things.
A Source of Pride
A local resident named Patil shared his pride. He said, “We can proudly say our villages were so beautiful that filmmakers chose them for shooting.” Beyond ‘Sholay,’ other movies like ‘Naastik,’ ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat,’ and ‘Paapi’ also used these villages as backdrops. However, ‘Sholay’ left a special mark on generations. Patil smiled as he added, “The fact that people still visit the shooting locations after 50 years, that is ‘Sholay’s’ real success.”