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.