‘Sholay’, the legendary 1975 Bollywood blockbuster, is finally set to be seen as it was originally envisioned — with its original, uncut ending — nearly 50 years after it first hit Indian screens. The restored version will make its world premiere on a giant open-air screen at Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Italy, as part of the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival on Friday.
The original ending, filmed by director Ramesh Sippy, had Thakur Baldev Singh (played by Sanjeev Kumar) take revenge for the death of his family by killing the ruthless bandit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) with spiked shoes. However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at the time found the scene too violent and insisted it be changed. Sippy was then forced to reshoot the climax where Gabbar is beaten but eventually handed over to the police.
Now, decades later, this restored version — which also includes previously deleted scenes — will finally be presented to international audiences, returning one of Indian cinema’s most iconic films to its original form.
Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who portrayed the character Jai, expressed deep emotion at the revival:
“Some things in life remain permanently etched in your mind. Sholay is one such film. Shooting for it was unforgettable. At that time, I had no idea it would become such a defining moment in Indian cinema. Even after 50 years, I hope it continues to inspire and captivate new audiences across the world.”
This revival not only restores cinematic authenticity but also reflects a growing international appreciation for the cultural and narrative richness of Indian films.
