Mumbai, Aug. 15 -- Bollywood's classic film Sholay completed 50 years of its release today. Released on Independence Day on 15 August 1975, this film not only left an indelible mark in the history of cinema, but also made a deep place in the memories of the villages of Panvel-Uran Marg. A part of the film's shooting took place here around 1972, which kept the local people enthralled for years.

In those times, the main Agari and Koli communities here were engaged in farming and fishing. But on the days of shooting, they would leave their work and reach the set every day. "Dharmendra (Veeru) would often sit among the villagers, eat dried fish and bhakri, and in return feed them biryani or special dishes," says Sanjay Shelar, 62. The crew m...