In a momentous celebration of cinema, Sholay, the most beloved Hindi film ever created, re-emerges after fifty years with a fully restored version that will receive its world premiere at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy, on Friday. This new iteration of Ramesh Sippy's 1975 masterpiece boasts not only a pristine restoration but also the original ending, which was altered by censorship at the time of its release.
The festival's open-air screening at Piazza Maggiore, one of the largest screens in Europe, serves as an awe-inspiring backdrop for this long-awaited release. Starring iconic actors Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Hema Malini, among others, Sholay is celebrated for its gripping tale of good versus evil set in the fictional village of Ramgarh. It revolves around two petty criminals, Jai (Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra), hired by an ex-police officer to capture the notorious bandit Gabbar Singh, played by the legendary Amjad Khan.
Upon its original release, Sholay enjoyed an unprecedented five-year run at Mumbai's Minerva theatre and has been honored as "Film of the Millennium" in a BBC poll, alongside being recognized as the greatest Indian film in a British Film Institute survey. Its dialogues are woven into the fabric of Indian culture, often quoted at significant events and referenced in political discourse.
While the film initially suffered from lukewarm reception and harsh reviews, word of mouth soon turned it into a cultural phenomenon, elevating its status within Indian cinema. Director Ramesh Sippy, echoing the sentiments of the film's enduring impact, admitted that while he never anticipated the film's historical significance, its themes of poetic justice and the triumph of good resonate even today.
The restoration process unfolded over three remarkable years, commencing when Shehzad Sippy, the director's son, approached the Film Heritage Foundation in Mumbai. Despite starting the effort without complete knowledge of available materials, they uncovered essential reels stored both in India and the UK, with crucial contributions from the British Film Institute. The painstaking collaboration led to the discovery of original camera and sound negatives, despite the deteriorated condition of the existing materials.
As fans eagerly await the screening in Bologna, they are reminded of the film's lasting legacy, characterized by a rich blend of Western and samurai influences while firmly rooted in Indian storytelling. Amitabh Bachchan's reflections on the film underline its universal themes, ensuring its relevance half a century later. Sholay's triumphant return promises to engage a new generation of viewers while honoring its storied past.
