Celebrating 50 Years of Sholay: A Restored Classic Premieres in Italy

Sholay's 50th Anniversary Celebration

The iconic Bollywood film, Sholay, is set to commemorate its 50th anniversary with a grand world premiere of its fully restored and uncut version at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy.

First hitting theaters in 1975, Sholay quickly became a beloved classic in Indian cinema. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, the film starred renowned actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan.

This newly restored version is the product of a three-year effort by the Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Sippy Films Pvt Ltd. For the first time, audiences will experience the film with its original conclusion and previously omitted scenes that were not included in the theatrical release.

Amitabh Bachchan expressed his sentiments, stating, “Certain experiences in life are unforgettable, and Sholay is one of them. Filming this movie was a remarkable journey, and I never anticipated its monumental impact on Indian cinema. It’s fantastic that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored Sholay, incorporating the original ending and some deleted scenes. I hope that even after 50 years, the film continues to enchant new audiences worldwide.”

Dharmendra added, “Sholay is truly the 8th wonder of the world. I am excited to learn about its restoration and am confident it will achieve the same acclaim it did five decades ago. The dialogues crafted by Salim-Javed and Ramesh Sippy's direction are unforgettable.”