“Sholay,” an epic tale etched into the annals of Bollywood history, was masterfully written by the iconic duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, better known as Salim-Javed, and brought to life under the direction of Ramesh Sippy. This cinematic masterpiece continues to be celebrated as a cornerstone of Indian pop culture, thanks to its unforgettable characters and compelling storyline.

The film’s impact is deeply ingrained in the hearts of audiences, with memorable characters like the brave Jai and Veeru, the resilient Thakur, and the menacing Gabbar Singh, who remains one of the most iconic villains in Hindi cinema. The dialogues and action sequences have become part of everyday vernacular, reflecting the film’s enduring influence.

The atmosphere inside the 1000-plus seater theatre was nothing short of electric. Fans were visibly ecstatic to experience this classic film in its original format. One passionate fan expressed to PTI, “I’m feeling as if I have time-traveled. The vintage print truly gives an old-school experience. The viewers are enthusiastic and cheering excitedly. Truly an unforgettable experience.”

“Sholay” boasted a stellar ensemble cast featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, A K Hangal, Asrani, Iftekhar, Jagdeep, Keshto Mukherjee, Leela Mishra, Mac Mohan, and Viju Khote. Before the screening commenced, the legendary writers Salim-Javed addressed the eager fans, who greeted them with resounding applause and whistles. “This usually doesn’t happen with writers,” Akhtar remarked.

Javed Akhtar, now 79 years old, reflected on the organic evolution of “Sholay.” He shared how the film’s unexpected development into a multi-starrer added to its unique charm. “When Salim Sahab and I wrote this script, we had no idea that it was going to be a big film. When we started the film, we didn’t know it would have a big cast. As the screenplay developed then it slowly turned upon us that we can have many stars in the picture because the roles are such.”

He credited the audience for their unwavering appreciation and love for the film and its characters. “I don’t think of any film, except for ‘Godfather’ or ‘Gone With The Wind,’ where people remember so many characters. But the list of characters in ‘Sholay’ that are remembered after 50 years is much longer,” Akhtar noted.

Akhtar emphasized that there is an inexplicable magic created between the film and its audience. “Thank you for appreciating this film. We are grateful to both the Indian and overseas audience where the picture has been appreciated.”

Regal Cinema witnessed a full house for this special screening, with audiences spanning all age groups eagerly anticipating the timeless classic. Among them was an elderly couple, walking hand-in-hand, ready to relive their cherished memories associated with “Sholay.” They told PTI, “We are super excited to watch our most favourite movie, ‘Sholay’.”

Another attendee named Moon brought her 10-year-old son to experience the film for the first time. She shared with PTI, “I came here to watch ‘Sholay’ because it’s ‘Sholay’. I’ve already seen the film at least ten times. This is the first time I’ve got my son to watch it because I wanted him to connect with the movie, the way we did. It’s an evergreen movie.”

Veteran projectionist Mohammed Aslam Fakih expressed his excitement about showcasing “Sholay” at Regal Cinema for the first time. “During those days, we didn’t have a 70 mm screen; we would usually show English language films at Regal. I had seen ‘Sholay’ in Kurla. I was excited about showing the film here. I’m very happy to see the public enjoying every moment of the movie,” Fakih shared.

Akhtar extended his gratitude to FHF founder Shivendra Singh Dungarpur for his efforts in restoring old films. Post-screening, he remarked on the timeless nature of “Sholay,” saying, “This film has survived for so many years and perhaps it will continue to do so. Even today, it doesn’t look like an outdated film. So, hats off to the director.”

The special screening coincided with the release of Prime Video’s docuseries “Angry Young Men,” which chronicles Salim-Javed’s unparalleled influence on Hindi cinema and their role in creating some of the most iconic characters of the 1970s.

Zoya Akhtar, present at the screening, thanked Dungarpur for restoring the old print of “Sholay” and expressed her happiness in celebrating writers.

The screening was organized by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), along with Salman Khan’s production house Salman Khan Films, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Media and Entertainment, and Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s Tiger Baby – who also produced the docuseries.

Notable attendees included filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, and actors Aditya Roy Kapur and Kunal Roy Kapur.