‘Aaree O Basanti, Happy B’Day’; stuntwoman Reshma wishes Hema Malini on KBC show

By Chaitanya Padukone

Dare-devil stuntwoman of Bollywood – Reshma Pathan – will make her striking presence felt on the latest ‘Shaandaar Shukravaar’ episode of ‘KBC-Kaun Banega Crorepati 13’. Even as the ‘ageless’ radiant, dignified Hema Malini celebrates her 73rd birthday on October 16, (next day) there will be a  heart-rending startling surprise for her on the quiz-show.

‘Unsung heroine’ stuntwoman Reshma Pathan, who essayed the role of Hema Malini’s body-double for all the stunts will finally get her share of recognition on the  KBC show.   The scene that was commendable was the one where she goes at break-neck full speed riding on the horse-cart (Tonga) being chased on horseback by Gabbar Singh’s dreaded dacoits, in the iconic film ‘Sholay’.  She goes: “Aaree O Basanti, Happy Birthday! Pehchanaa mujhe?” exclaimed Reshma stuntwoman popularly known as the ‘Sholay Girl’ She even has a proper biopic dedicated to her streaming on Zee5 in which talented actress Bidita Bag has essayed her spunky character.

Bidita Bag as Reshma Pathan in The Sholay Girl

Both Hema Malini and ‘Sholay’ director Ramesh Sippy will be occupying the hot-seats on KBC answering the quiz-questions of megastar-host Amitabh Bachchan. They will also be celebrating 46 years of ‘Sholay’. During the show the duo will be sharing interesting stories and behind-the-scenes moments of the film.

Also read: ‘Being honoured with a ‘gold medal’ by mega-star Amitabh Bachchan was a crowning validation for me’: Senior Journalist Chaitanya Padukone

The outspoken Hema Malini said to Reshma: “You played my body-double in ‘Sholay’ and because of all the difficult and dangerous shots you did, I became famous. I remember all of that. And, I also remember that during the shooting, we used to spend a lot of time chatting together.”

Sholay’ stuntwoman says she’d give her life for ‘Basanti’

Praising Hema Malini, the exuberant Reshma Pathan reacted “You’ve never thought of me just as your body double. You’ve always treated me as a heroine (fellow artiste). And for you, even if in a shot I’d had to give my life, I would.”

Even as director Ramesh Sippy is seen laughing away heartily, both Hema Malini and Amitabh have done a hilarious mimicry take-off on several iconic dialogues spoken by Amjad Khan (Gabbar Singh), Dharmendra ( Veeru) and Asrani ( the bumbling, stumbling Jailor). Not one to be left out from the KBC show, Dharmendra makes a timely video-call to share his precious BTS-‘Sholay’ memories.