Sholay clocks 50 years premieres at Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna.

Sholay clocks 50 years
premieres at Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna.

The Ramesh Sippy-1975 directorial epic Sholay, clocks 50 years. As a tribute to Indian cinema’s cult favourite over the years, it will premiere at Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna.

Notably, Sholay is all set for the world premiere of its fully restored and uncut version in Italy on its 50th anniversary on June 27.

Excited by the news, the stars of Sholay, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, called the screening a “watershed moment” and the movie an “8th wonder of the world”.

Dharmendra was elated of Sholay’s restoration, and said he was sure that this screening too would have the same success as it had 50 years ago.
Adding that “Sholay is the 8th wonder of the world,” and asking, “Who can forget the dialogues of Salim-Javed and the direction of Ramesh Sippy?”

Dharmendra further quipped that even though several of Sholay’s scenes have gone down in the history of Indian cinema and every character became a star, “but the real hero was the coin.”
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Sharing an interesting anecdote about his role in the iconic movie, Dharmendra said he was initially offered the roles of Gabbar and Thakur. “…but was clear that he wanted to play the role of Veeru as he is so much like him” had so much fun on the shoot.”

The actor shared his favourite scenes from the movie, and said, “the tanki scene, the scene in the temple, and so many others, but the most powerful scene was the death of Jai, which is still etched in his mind.

Amitabh Bachchan hoped that Sholay would play its magic again, 50 years later, for new audiences across the globe. Saying that the movie is the kind that remains “permanently etched in your mind,” the veteran actor recalled that “unforgettable experience” of shooting for the film.

He also said that at the time, he had no idea that it would be a watershed for Indian cinema. “It’s a dramatic change in fortunes from being declared an unsuccessful venture to its record-breaking box office run, which was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us.”
He hopes that even 50 years later, the film will capture the imagination of new audiences across the world.

News Edit KV Raman