Discover the latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Experience the enchanting legacy of the iconic Hindi film “Sholay,” which continues to captivate audiences nearly 50 years after its release. From the nostalgic tunes of ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Chodenge’ to the electrifying cheers for each iconic dialogue and character entrance, fans recently relived the magic during a special screening of this cult classic.

Mumbai, Aug 31 (PTI) – The special screening, organized by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), showcased a rare 70 mm cinemascope print of the 1975 blockbuster. A wave of excitement swept through Colaba’s Regal Cinema as dedicated fans lined up for the 6:00 PM show, eager to witness the film in its original format.

“Sholay,” crafted by the legendary writing duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar—collectively known as Salim-Javed—and directed by Ramesh Sippy, remains a cornerstone of Bollywood history. This film is an integral part of Indian pop culture, celebrated for its unforgettable characters like Jai, Veeru, Thakur, and the notorious villain Gabbar Singh, along with its memorable dialogues and action sequences.

The atmosphere inside the 1000-plus seater theatre was electric. Fans expressed their enthusiasm passionately, with one attendee telling 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” boasts an ensemble cast including 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, Salim-Javed addressed the eager audience amidst applause and whistles. Akhtar remarked, “This usually doesn’t happen with writers,” expressing his gratitude for the audience’s enduring love. He revealed that the film’s multi-starrer nature was not initially planned but evolved organically during the screenplay’s development.

Akhtar reflected on how rare it is for a film to have so many memorable characters even decades later. “I don’t think of any film, except for ‘Godfather’ or ‘Gone With The Wind’, where people remember many characters. But the list of characters (in ‘Sholay’) that are remembered after 50 years is much longer,” he said. He credited this magic to a special bond between the creators and the audience.

The event saw a full house at Regal Cinema, with audiences spanning all age groups eagerly awaiting the timeless classic. A particularly heartwarming sight was an elderly couple walking hand-in-hand to enjoy the cinematic masterpiece. “We are super excited to watch our most favourite movie, ‘Sholay’,” they shared with PTI.

Another attendee named Moon attended with her 10-year-old son, emphasizing how she wanted her son to connect with the movie as she had. “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,” she said.

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,” he told PTI.

Post-screening, Akhtar extended his thanks to FHF founder Shivendra Singh Dungarpur for restoring old films. “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,” Akhtar said.

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 crafting some of the most iconic characters of the 1970s.

Zoya Akhtar, who also attended the screening, expressed her happiness about celebrating the writers and thanked Dungarpur for restoring the old print of “Sholay.”

The event was orchestrated by 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.

Prominent figures like filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, and actors Aditya Roy Kapur and Kunal Roy Kapur were among the attendees who gathered to celebrate this timeless cinematic masterpiece.