ZEE5, the digital arm of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, will be releasing The Sholay Girl (2019), an original film on 8 March, International Women’s Day.
The film is based on the life of Reshma Pathan, who is said to be Hindi cinema’s first stuntwoman in the film industry. Bouma (2019) actress Bidita Bag plays the role of Pathan.
Speaking to Cinestaan.com, Bag said, “We have many unsung heroes. We talk of women’s empowerment, but in our history there are many unsung heroes, especially scientists on whom films should be made. Reshma Pathan is an iconic stuntwoman in the film industry. If it wasn’t for her, we perhaps would have not seen a stuntwoman in Bollywood. What better subject can we come up with on [International] Women’s Day?”
Even though the film’s title is The Sholay Girl, Bag reminded that Pathan did stunts and was a body double for not just for Hema Malini, but for all actresses aged between 16-80 at the time.
“She wasn’t exclusive to Hema Malini ji, but Sholay (1975) was the film that marked a career high. Pathan had done some work before but it was with Sholay that she got recognition,” added Bag.
The teaser of The Sholay Girl was released a few days ago. It begins with the famous scene of Basanti (Hema Malini) riding away in her tonga, as she is being chased by goons. One of the wheels comes off, and Basanti falls into the muddy ground. The scene cuts to an injured Pathan, but the brave woman continues with the shooting. Pathan carries this daredevil attitude to all the sets as seen in the trailer.
The Sholay Girl will be released on 8 March.
Watch the teaser below: