Sachin Pilgaonkar Reveals Hidden Comforts on ‘Sholay’ Sets Ahead of Film’s 50th Anniversary
TheTrendingPeople.com — As the iconic Hindi blockbuster Sholay gears up to mark its 50th anniversary, actor, producer, and director Sachin Pilgaonkar has opened up about a lesser-known behind-the-scenes detail from the making of the film — one that reflects both the ingenuity and the scale of the production.
Speaking to IANS in the run-up to the golden jubilee celebrations, Pilgaonkar recalled how, despite the absence of the now-standard vanity vans in the 1970s, the cast of Sholay enjoyed a surprising level of comfort on set.
“The Father of Vanity Van”
Pilgaonkar, who played the tragic role of Rahim Chacha’s son in the film, revealed that the production team constructed fully air-conditioned, well-furnished make-up rooms inside the huts that formed part of the Ramnagaram village set.
“There was no vanity van. But the father of vanity van was there,” Pilgaonkar said. “You have seen Sholay, then you would have also seen the entire village, Ramnagaram? It wasn’t an actual village, it was a set. All those huts you see, outside they looked like huts. Inside, there were well-furnished, air-conditioned make-up rooms — all of them.”
These huts, he explained, were multifunctional. From the outside, they formed the backdrop of the fictional village terrorised by the notorious bandit Gabbar Singh. From the inside, they were equipped with all the amenities one might expect in a luxury hotel room.
“Washroom, all facilities, everything that is available in a 5-star hotel was there in those huts. It was inside every hut. And one of those huts, that is, a make-up room, was given to me. I felt very happy at that time,” he recalled with a smile.
Ramnagaram: A Cinematic Landmark
The Sholay village set was built in Ramnagaram, a rocky town in Karnataka that has since become a pilgrimage site for Bollywood fans. Director Ramesh Sippy and his production team transformed the area’s rugged terrain into the perfect setting for what would become India’s first major “curry western” — a nod to the spaghetti westerns made famous by Sergio Leone.
The elaborate set design was one of the reasons Sholay stood out in 1975. At a time when location shoots were rare and most films relied on studio backdrops, Sippy’s decision to construct a lifelike village in an open, natural environment was both ambitious and expensive. The air-conditioned huts that Pilgaonkar mentioned were part of a broader effort to keep the cast and crew comfortable during what was, by all accounts, a gruelling shoot under the intense Karnataka sun.
A Star-Studded Legacy
Released on August 15, 1975, Sholay boasted one of the most star-studded ensembles in Hindi cinema history. The cast included Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, A. K. Hangal, and of course, Sachin Pilgaonkar himself.
Pilgaonkar’s character met a tragic fate in one of the film’s most emotional sequences, highlighting the brutality of Gabbar Singh — played by Amjad Khan in what would become a career-defining role.
The film’s blend of action, drama, romance, comedy, and unforgettable music struck a chord with audiences, making it not just a box-office smash but also a cultural touchstone.
Accolades and Enduring Popularity
Over the decades, Sholay has received numerous accolades and honours. It topped the British Film Institute’s 2002 poll of the “Top 10 Indian Films” of all time and continues to feature in discussions about the greatest Indian films ever made.
Its dialogues — from “Kitne aadmi the?” to “Yeh haath mujhe de de Thakur!” — have become part of India’s pop culture lexicon. Its soundtrack, composed by R. D. Burman with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, remains evergreen.
The film was penned by the legendary screenwriting duo Salim-Javed, whose sharp dialogue and layered storytelling elevated Sholay from a mere action film to a timeless epic.
Behind-the-Scenes Ingenuity
Pilgaonkar’s revelation adds a new dimension to the Sholay legend, shedding light on how the production team balanced on-screen realism with off-screen comfort. At a time when vanity vans were unheard of in India, the air-conditioned huts in Ramnagaram set a precedent for future productions.
By integrating the actors’ make-up rooms into the set itself, the filmmakers ensured seamless transitions between takes, reduced downtime, and maintained the film’s visual continuity. It was a practical solution that also doubled as a set design masterstroke.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
As Sholay approaches its 50th anniversary, stories like Pilgaonkar’s offer fans a fresh reason to revisit the film. They remind us that cinema is as much about the world behind the camera as the one on screen.
For Pilgaonkar, who has since gone on to enjoy a prolific career in Marathi and Hindi cinema, being part of Sholay remains a cherished memory — not just for its cinematic significance but for the unique experience of working in what he calls the “father of vanity vans.”
Final Thoughts — TheTrendingPeople.com
Half a century on, Sholay is more than just a film — it’s a chapter of India’s cultural history. Pilgaonkar’s recollection of the luxurious make-up huts underscores the scale, ambition, and thoughtfulness that went into its making. As audiences gear up to celebrate its golden jubilee, this glimpse into the comfort and creativity behind the scenes is yet another reason why Sholay continues to inspire filmmakers and captivate viewers across generations.