Hema Malini opens up on doing stunts in ‘Sholay’ and her initial disappointment

Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini recently opened up about her memories of working in the classic film ‘Sholay’, which completed 50 years since its release this Friday.

Known for her iconic role as Basanti, Hema shared how she managed action sequences and also recalled her feelings when the role was first offered to her.

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In an interview with IANS, Hema Malini was asked about performing stunts in the movie. She revealed that she has done many such sequences throughout her career. “In many of my films, fight scenes were specially written for me. Directors used to say, ‘If Hema Malini is in the film, she must fight.’ No matter what character I played, action was always a part of it,” she said.

Speaking about ‘Sholay’, Hema Malini remembered the famous chase sequence where dacoits run after her while she rides a horse cart.

“That scene is still fresh in my memory. It was beautifully shot. Every frame in ‘Sholay’ was moving, nothing was still. That’s why the film remains so powerful even today,” she added.

Also Read: Basanti returns: Hema Malini plans special ‘Sholay’ screening for grandkids

The actress also revealed that her grandchildren have not yet watched the film. But now that it has completed 50 years, she plans to show it to them in her home theatre. “I will make them sit one day and watch it with me. It will be special,” she said.

Interestingly, Hema Malini admitted that she was not very happy when the role of Basanti first came to her. After the huge success of ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, which was also directed by Ramesh Sippy, she expected another big and central role. “When Rameshji told me about ‘Sholay’, he explained that the film had many characters and I was one among them. I felt disappointed. I wondered why I was being given a smaller role this time,” she recalled.

But later, the director convinced her that Basanti’s character would have a strong impact on the audience. That reassurance made her accept the role, which eventually became one of the most remembered characters in Indian cinema.

Looking back, Hema Malini feels grateful that she agreed to do the role. From action sequences to comedy and emotion, Basanti gave her a chance to showcase a different side of her acting.