- Monday, June 23, 2025
A fully restored, uncut version of Sholay, complete with its original ending and unseen scenes, will premiere at Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival on June 27, 2025, marking 50 years of the film’s legendary status in Indian cinema.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Sholay, one of Indian cinema’s most legendary films, is set to make a grand comeback with the world premiere of its fully restored, uncut version at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy.
The screening, scheduled for June 27, 2025, will be held at the open-air Piazza Maggiore, marking a fitting tribute as the film approaches its 50th anniversary on August 15, 2025.
A Collaborative Restoration Effort
This special showcase is the result of a collaboration between the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) and Sippy Films. Together, they have worked meticulously to present the director’s cut of the 1975 classic, originally helmed by Ramesh Sippy.
The restoration process has not only enhanced the film’s visual and audio quality but has also included the recovery of the original ending and several deleted scenes, offering audiences a chance to experience Sholay as never before.
Celebrating a Cinematic Milestone
Sholay features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bachchan, and Amjad Khan. Written by the celebrated duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, the film is deeply embedded in Indian pop culture, thanks to its memorable characters—Jai, Veeru, Thakur, and the iconic villain Gabbar Singh—and its unforgettable dialogues and action sequences.
Reflecting on the film’s enduring legacy, Amitabh Bachchan, who played Jai, shared,
“Some things in life remain permanently etched in your mind. Sholay is one such film. At the time I had no idea that it would be a watershed for Indian cinema. Its dramatic change in fortunes from being declared an unsuccessful venture, to its record-breaking box office run was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us.”
He expressed excitement over the restoration, especially the inclusion of the original ending and deleted scenes, hoping the film would continue to captivate new generations worldwide.
Cast and Crew Share Their Memories
Dharmendra, who portrayed Veeru, called Sholay the “eighth wonder of the world.” He reminisced about the film’s iconic scenes, the unforgettable dialogues by Salim-Javed, and Ramesh Sippy’s direction.
“So many scenes have gone down in the history of Indian cinema and every character became a star. But the real hero was the coin,” he quipped, referencing the film’s famous coin toss scene.
Dharmendra also revealed he was initially offered a choice between playing Gabbar and Thakur but chose Veeru because of the character’s similarities to his own personality. He cited the tanki (water tank) scene, the temple scene, and Jai’s death as particularly powerful moments.
The Restoration Journey
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation, described the restoration as a deeply personal project, recalling his childhood longing to watch the film and his pride in working on its revival decades later.
Shehzad Sippy of Sippy Films echoed this sentiment, calling the restoration a “cornerstone of our family heritage.” He highlighted the three-year effort to locate the original ending and deleted scenes, which will be unveiled for the first time at the festival.
A Global Celebration of Indian Cinema
The restored uncut version of Sholay promises to be a cinematic event, offering both nostalgia for longtime fans and a fresh experience for new audiences. Its world premiere in Italy underscores the film’s enduring global appeal and its status as a milestone in the history of Indian and world cinema.
