The London Film Festival is gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ramesh Sippy's iconic Bollywood film, 'Sholay'. The film, which stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, will be showcased with a special screening of a restored version of the director's cut, featuring the original ending and previously unseen deleted scenes.
The British Film Institute's (BFI) annual film festival, a global event, is scheduled to commence next week. This year's festival will also feature other Indian themes, including Ahmed Alauddin Jamal's "Hotel London" and Anuparna Roy's debut film, "Songs of Forgotten Trees," both of which are competing in the First Feature Competition.
'Sholay', originally released on August 15, 1975, captivated audiences worldwide with its compelling narrative, memorable characters, and groundbreaking action sequences. The film introduced iconic characters such as Jai-Veeru, Thakur, Gabbar, Basanti and Radha, who have become cultural icons.
Amitabh Bachchan, who played Jai in the film, expressed his excitement about the restoration, stating that it was wonderful that the Film Heritage Foundation had restored 'Sholay' and managed to include the original ending and deleted scenes. He added that shooting for the film was an unforgettable experience and that he hopes the film will continue to capture the imagination of new audiences across the world, even after 50 years.
Dharmendra, who played Veeru, echoed Bachchan's sentiments, expressing confidence in the film's timeless appeal. He lauded the dialogues penned by Salim-Javed and the direction of Ramesh Sippy, noting that numerous scenes have become legendary in Indian cinema, and every character became a star. Dharmendra also revealed that he was offered the roles of Gabbar and Thakur but chose to play Veeru.
The restoration of 'Sholay' was initiated in 2022 by Shehzad Sippy, producer of Sippy Films, who described it as a labor of love and a tribute to the vision and legacy of his grandfather, G.P. Sippy. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, director of Film Heritage Foundation, emphasized the meticulous effort to restore the film, despite the unavailability of the original camera negative and surviving 70mm print.
The special screening of 'Sholay' is scheduled to take place on October 19 at the BFI IMAX in London, which boasts the UK's biggest screen, marking the concluding day of the 2025 London Film Festival. Tickets are already sold out, indicating the enduring popularity of the film.
'Sholay' faced initial criticism upon its release, with some critics questioning its length and unconventional structure. However, positive word-of-mouth transformed the film into a major success, breaking box office records and running for five years at Mumbai's Minerva Theatre. The film's dialogues, characters, and scenes have been referenced and parodied extensively in Indian popular culture.
The film's music, composed by R.D. Burman, also contributed significantly to its success. 'Sholay' has left a lasting impact on Indian cinema, influencing a new wave of filmmakers and setting a precedent for action films. It was ranked first in the British Film Institute's 2002 poll of "Top 10 Indian Films" of all time.
