Sholay, the legendary Bollywood film directed by Ramesh Sippy, returns to cinemas with a fully restored version, debuting at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, featuring its previously altered conclusion for the first time.**
Sholay Returns: 50 Years Later with a Restored Vision and Original Ending**
Sholay Returns: 50 Years Later with a Restored Vision and Original Ending**
The iconic Hindi film Sholay makes a triumphant comeback after 50 years, premiering an uncut version that includes its original ending at an Italian festival.**
Sholay, India’s cinematic gem, is roaring back onto the big screen, marking an incredible milestone as it completes fifty flourishing years. Recognized as one of the most famed Hindi films, the freshly restored uncut version of Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 masterpiece is set to have its grand world premiere at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy this Friday. Unlike any showings before, this edition offers the film’s original ending—previously altered due to censorship—as well as several deleted scenes, thrilling enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
The screening will be held at the illustrious open-air venue in Piazza Maggiore, one of Europe's largest screening spaces, providing an exquisite backdrop for the eagerly awaited revival of this cinematic classic. Collaboratively crafted by renowned screenwriters Salim-Javed, Sholay stars legends such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar, and Amjad Khan, who delivers a memorable performance as the sinister Gabbar Singh. The film presents a gripping saga of good versus evil within the fictional village of Ramgarh, where two small-time thieves are enlisted by a former lawman to combat a fearsome bandit.
Upon its initial release, Sholay captivated audiences, playing for an unmatched five consecutive years at Mumbai's Minerva theatre. Voted “Film of the Millennium” by BBC India's online poll, it even topped the British Film Institute's list of greatest Indian films. Its cultural impact is profound, with dialogues uttered at weddings and political events alike, showcasing its entrenched status in society. As Dharmendra aptly described the film, "Sholay is the eighth wonder of the world."
Looking back at production, Amitabh Bachchan reflected on the unforgettable journey of filmmaking, unaware that Sholay would come to symbolize a pivotal turn in Indian cinema. The new restored edition is acclaimed for being the most complete version yet, including the sought-after original ending where Gabbar Singh meets his demise at the hands of Thakur Baldev Singh—had it not been for the censors' harsh objections during the Emergency period in India. After failed negotiations, Sippy was compelled to reshoot a more lenient finale where the villain survives arrest.
Restoration was no easy task. The original 70mm prints were lost to time, and the camera negatives had begun to decay. In a surprisingly fortunate turn, Shehzad Sippy, the director's son, discovered crucial elements stored away in a Mumbai warehouse. The Film Heritage Foundation collaborated with international partners, leading to the painstaking reconstruction of the iconic film at renowned restoration facilities.
Despite a rocky start with initial audiences remaining indifferent, word of mouth quickly built momentum, eventually leading to Sholay becoming an unprecedented box office success. Gabbar Singh’s legacy as a cultural icon solidified, as foreign critics hailed it as India’s first "curry western." The film persisted in theaters for over five years, continuing to captivate newcomers, including its recent screenings in Pakistan.
The lasting connection audiences have with Sholay is captured poignantly by Amitabh Bachchan’s insight: “The victory of good over evil and... poetic justice in three hours! You and I shall not get it in a lifetime.”
The screening will be held at the illustrious open-air venue in Piazza Maggiore, one of Europe's largest screening spaces, providing an exquisite backdrop for the eagerly awaited revival of this cinematic classic. Collaboratively crafted by renowned screenwriters Salim-Javed, Sholay stars legends such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar, and Amjad Khan, who delivers a memorable performance as the sinister Gabbar Singh. The film presents a gripping saga of good versus evil within the fictional village of Ramgarh, where two small-time thieves are enlisted by a former lawman to combat a fearsome bandit.
Upon its initial release, Sholay captivated audiences, playing for an unmatched five consecutive years at Mumbai's Minerva theatre. Voted “Film of the Millennium” by BBC India's online poll, it even topped the British Film Institute's list of greatest Indian films. Its cultural impact is profound, with dialogues uttered at weddings and political events alike, showcasing its entrenched status in society. As Dharmendra aptly described the film, "Sholay is the eighth wonder of the world."
Looking back at production, Amitabh Bachchan reflected on the unforgettable journey of filmmaking, unaware that Sholay would come to symbolize a pivotal turn in Indian cinema. The new restored edition is acclaimed for being the most complete version yet, including the sought-after original ending where Gabbar Singh meets his demise at the hands of Thakur Baldev Singh—had it not been for the censors' harsh objections during the Emergency period in India. After failed negotiations, Sippy was compelled to reshoot a more lenient finale where the villain survives arrest.
Restoration was no easy task. The original 70mm prints were lost to time, and the camera negatives had begun to decay. In a surprisingly fortunate turn, Shehzad Sippy, the director's son, discovered crucial elements stored away in a Mumbai warehouse. The Film Heritage Foundation collaborated with international partners, leading to the painstaking reconstruction of the iconic film at renowned restoration facilities.
Despite a rocky start with initial audiences remaining indifferent, word of mouth quickly built momentum, eventually leading to Sholay becoming an unprecedented box office success. Gabbar Singh’s legacy as a cultural icon solidified, as foreign critics hailed it as India’s first "curry western." The film persisted in theaters for over five years, continuing to captivate newcomers, including its recent screenings in Pakistan.
The lasting connection audiences have with Sholay is captured poignantly by Amitabh Bachchan’s insight: “The victory of good over evil and... poetic justice in three hours! You and I shall not get it in a lifetime.”
