Hema Malini recalls the painful truth behind ‘Sholay’s’ iconic barefoot dance: ‘My mother was worried’ |
As ‘Sholay’ completes 50 years, actress Hema Malini, who starred in the iconic film, has revisited one of its most unforgettable moments. In a recent interview, the veteran actor opened up about the making of the timeless song ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’.
The harsh reality behind the graceful dance
The song was shot in May, under extreme summer heat. Hema Malini had to dance barefoot on sand, mud, and sharp rocks, making the conditions brutal. Recalling her mother’s reaction, she told ANI, “My mother was so worried about me dancing barefoot on the rocks, especially considering the extreme heat.”Explaining the physical toll, Hema added, “The sand, the mud, and especially the rocks were unbearably hot. Even stepping barefoot on the stones was very painful.”
A mother’s concern and a brief solution
Worried for her daughter, Hema Malini’s mother suggested a temporary fix. She advised her to wear a thin sole under her feet to reduce the pain. Hema tried it, but the relief was short-lived. She recalled, “My mother was worried and suggested that I wear a thin sole under my feet so that it wouldn’t hurt too much.” However, the adjustment soon caught the director’s attention.
Why Ramesh Sippy refused to compromise
Director Ramesh Sippy remained firm about maintaining authenticity. Hema revealed, “Rameshji noticed it immediately and asked me to remove it. He explained that during the dance movements, it would be visible on screen, and that wouldn’t look right.”She even attempted to reschedule the shoot to a cooler season. “I tried my best to convince Ramesh Sippy to shoot the song in November or December. I told him it would be extremely hot in May and that I would be able to dance better if we avoided that heat. But he was very particular and said he wanted it to be shot in May itself.”
Enduring pain and a legendary legacy
After every shoot, recovery became essential. Hema shared, “After the shoot, I would put my feet in cold water and wrap them in cold towels to reduce the pain.” She credited her Bharatanatyam training for helping her endure the ordeal.Released in 1975, ‘Sholay’ went on to become a landmark film, starring Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan, and others. Fifty years later, the dance still glows — and now, so does the story behind it.
