Reshma Pathan, famously known as ‘the Sholay Girl’, is India’s first stuntwoman, whose trailblazing career began at the age of 14. Overcoming poverty, dangerous street stunts, and her father’s disapproval, she went on to work in over 400 films. Her rise to fame came with the iconic 1975 film Sholay, one of India’s most beloved films, directed by Ramesh Sippy, where she performed high-risk stunts for lead actress Hema Malini.
50 Years of Sholay: India’s first stuntwoman Reshma Pathan opens up about risking her life for a Hema Malini scene in the film
In a recent interview with Quint, Pathan recalled one of her most harrowing experiences on set. “They told me that I had to ride a tanga. I started riding it on Juhu road—and forgot I had to turn back, so I kept going! Everyone started worrying,” she said. “From there they took me straight to Ramesh Sippy’s office in Khar. They took my measurements and made me try some wigs. Even then, I had no idea I was going to be Hema Malini’s stunt double.”
It was only three days later, upon reaching Ramanagara, near Bengaluru, that she realized she was shooting for Sholay. At just 19, she performed her first scene—the sequence where Basanti (Hema Malini) is chased by Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan)’s men. “I had to run and catch the reins. Two fake wheels were to be fitted to the tanga, and the wheels were supposed to break. While one wheel broke, the other didn’t as no one told the person in-charge to replace the other original wheel with a duplicate one as well,” Pathan recalls.
The mishap led to a severe accident and Pathan recalled, “All of a sudden, the tanga hit a rock, and I was flung in the air. The tanga landed dangerously close to me. They got a great shot as the fall looked real, but I was hurt. I had more than 17 stitches on my left leg.” Despite the injury, Pathan refused hospitalization, fearing replacement. “I requested them to take me back to the hotel, and let me try shooting. If I could manage, then why not? I couldn’t afford to lose this job. I needed the money for my sister’s wedding,” she said.
Showing immense determination, she continued shooting even as her stitches opened. Sharing the same, Reshma stated, “During the shot, my stitches opened, I started to bleed. I didn’t tell anyone because I knew they wouldn’t let me shoot. So, I carried on.”
Pathan’s courage and pioneering spirit not only contributed to Sholay’s enduring legacy but also paved the way for generations of stuntwomen in Indian cinema, inspiring countless performers to follow in her fearless footsteps.
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