March 1, 2026 at 8:30:00 PM

AFS Cinema

Sholay

India | Narrative Feature

1975 | 204 mins | Hindi

TICKETS

Former police officer Thakur Baldev Singh enlists the aid of two contrasting but devoted friends and small-time rogues – the charismatic Veeru and the introspective Jai – to apprehend the notorious dacoit Gabbar Singh, who terrorizes the village of Ramgarh. The film delves into the turbulent history between Thakur and Gabbar, marked by a brutal encounter where Gabbar, having escaped imprisonment, massacred Thakur's family and inflicted a severe injury upon him. Amidst the unfolding drama, romantic subplots emerge, as Jai finds affection with Thakur's widowed daughter-in-law, Radha, and Veeru is captivated by Basanti, the

spirited local cart driver. Following a series of intense confrontations, Gabbar is ultimately subdued by Jai and Veeru, leading to a dramatic and poignant climax where Thakur delivers him to justice.

The stark, dramatic landscape of Ramanagara in South India, meticulously transformed into the village of Ramgarh, provided a breathtaking backdrop for the film's spectacular cinematography. Despite a modest initial reception, the film, which took two and a half years to produce and boasts a runtime exceeding three hours, achieved unprecedented success, dominating the national box office for 19 years. Its dialogues have achieved legendary status, remaining instantly recognizable and frequently quoted by audiences even half a century after its initial release, a testament to Sholay's enduring cultural impact.

Photo courtesy: Sippy Films

Restoration Process

The restoration proved to be a complex endeavor, spanning nearly three years. The primary challenge lay in the condition of the original camera negative, which was severely deteriorated and thus unsuitable for the restoration. Consequently, the restoration predominantly utilized the interpositives located in London and Mumbai. Fortuitously, the colour reversal intermediate discovered in London remarkably contained the original ending and two previously deleted scenes. Film Heritage Foundation had also successfully acquired the original Arri 2C camera instrumental in the filming of ‘Sholay’.

Photo courtesy: Sippy Films

Given the absence of 70mm prints, Film Heritage Foundation consulted with veteran cinematographer Kamlakar Rao, who had collaborated on ‘Sholay’ with the film's cinematographer, Dwarka Divecha. Rao recounted Divecha's technique of employing a ground glass in front of the camera lens, upon which Rao made markings to delineate the margins of the 70mm frame. This invaluable insight guided our decision to adopt a 2.2:1 aspect ratio for the restored film. Adding to Film Heritage Foundation’s good fortune, the original magnetic sound elements were located at the Sippy Films office. The sound restoration was meticulously conducted utilizing both the original sound negative and these magnetic elements.

The final restored version is a culmination of efforts based on two interpositives and two colour reversal intermediates, incorporating the original ending and the deleted scenes, thereby reviving the director's authentic vision for the film.

About the Artist

Lauded as a cinematic masterpiece, Ramesh Sippy's 1975 magnum opus, Sholay, transcends mere entertainment to stand as a cultural touchstone in Indian filmmaking. Its critical acclaim is underscored by its designation as the greatest Indian film in a 2002 British Film Institute poll and its recognition as ‘Film Of The Millennium’ by BBC India in 1999. This monumental production, a true blockbuster, commenced its historic run at Mumbai's Minerva cinema, captivating audiences for an unprecedented five consecutive years.

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Shehzad Sippy is the managing director of Sippy Films, an Indian film production studio, founded by his grandfather G.P. Sippy in 1951. Having recently acquired the company from his family, Shehzad is currently focused on developing and producing new content for a global audience. Shehzad started his career in private equity with a focus on investing and facilitating ownership transition in financial services companies. Shehzad received his B.S. in finance from the University of North Texas and his MBA from Columbia Business School.