Sholay@50: How just another dacoit tale went on to become a fable
Avijit Ghosh
TNN
Aug 10, 2025, 14:04 IST IST
Sholay was initially declared a flop and panned by critics. Now, the all-time blockbuster — celebrating its 50th birthday on August 15 — is regarded as the 'best' and 'greatest' film in polls. An exploration of how director Ramesh Sippy's film lives in our heads through its dialogues and characters
It was a warm but amiable night in Bologna. By the time the open-air screening started at the north Italian town's sprawling Piazza Maggiore, it was already 10pm. Yet, at least 2,000 cinephiles, mostly Italians, had turned up. This was Sholay 's restored, uncut version — an intimidating three hours and 24 minutes in length — at the Il Cinema Ritrovato festival. 'But the audience was glued, watching in pin-drop silence. When the film ended at 1.30am, the cheering was incredible. Sholay is timeless,' says Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, whose Film Heritage Foundation has restored the film.
If the viewers' reaction in Italy in June reaffirmed Sholay 's enduring appeal across countries and generations, an X post made by Iran's Consulate General in Mumbai in July revealed the film's abiding impact. 'Many Iranians still associate #Bollywood with this epic,' it said, adding that a newspaper in Iran had published a full-pager commemorating the movie's 50 years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Sholay' ushered in tech revolution, changed movie experience for ever
Kolkata: On a cool Oct morning in 1975, nearly two months after 'Sholay' hit Bombay and Ahmedabad screens, the film finally unspooled at Kolkata's Jyoti Cinema. The delay hardly mattered. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What followed was nothing short of cinematic history — a run that lasted 103 weeks, a week short of two years, and rewrote the rulebook for how the city experienced movies. "For Kolkata audiences, 'Sholay' was not just a film; it was an event, an initiation into a new era of spectacle," said Jyoti Choukhani, owner of Bharat Laxmi Studio and Navina Cinema Hall. Movie halls needed superior projection quality to have that effect. Thus, the upgrades were far from cosmetic. In the mid-1970s, most Indian films were shot in 35 mm, but Sholay was converted to 70 mm with stereophonic sound in London — a process impossible to do in India at the time, Choukhani added. Jyoti's technical preparedness meant that when Kolkata finally got 'Sholay', it wasn't just screening a film, it was experiencing an imported technological marvel. The original owners of Jyoti, the Mansata family, went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the viewing experience matched the grandeur of the film, said Asish Banerjee, the current secretary of the Eastern India Motion Picture Association (EIMPA). They installed a massive 70 mm screen — one of the few in eastern India — and a state-of-the-art stereophonic sound system tailored for 'Sholay'. "I vividly recall the scene where Amitabh tosses the coin and it lands on its edge," said longtime moviegoer Gaurav Gayen, now in his early 70s. "The sound was so sharp and the screen so large, it felt as if the coin landed right at my feet." "My parents' wedding anniversary is always remembered as 'the year Sholay came'," chuckled film-buff Anirban Chatterjee. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "It became a time marker for our lives." Jyoti's success with 'Sholay' also underscored how a well-equipped cinema could draw repeat crowds and sustain long runs without deficit matinee shows — rare in Kolkata's Hindi film circuit. Not only Jyoti, 'Sholay' was in high demand across Bengal. "Even at Berachampa, our hall (Banirupa) ran housefull for months together after my father managed a print after a long struggle. I still remember how the movie brought fortune to my family," said Subhas Sen, now EIMPA vice-president. His is one of the few theatres from the 'Sholay' era that still survives the flux. Industry insiders note that 'Sholay' also changed the economics for exhibitors. "A film of that scale meant better ticket pricing, longer bookings, and stable revenue for nearly two years," said a retired cinema distributor. "It gave theatres the confidence to invest in sound, projection, and seating." Off-screen, the film's record-breaking run coincided with the coining of the term 'Bollywood' and a redefinition of Hindi commercial cinema. Gabbar Singh's "Kitne aadmi the?" and Jai-Veeru's friendship anthem entered everyday speech. Britannia even used Gabbar in a biscuit ad — the first time a Hindi film villain was tapped to sell a consumer product. Looking back, the story of 'Sholay' in Kolkata is as much about new cinema vision as it is about the film itself. By marrying technological ambition with a once-in-a-generation film, the Mansatas gave the city a cinematic memory that still echoes, stereophonically, through time.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is Maris Ellington? Here's truth behind viral killer whale attack video claiming another orca trainer's death
Who is Maris Ellington ? See the truth behind a viral killer whale attack video claiming another orca trainer's death. Social media has been flooded with posts claiming an orca trainer named Maris Ellington was killed by a killer whale during a live performance at Ocean World . The viral story resurfaced after another video claimed a similar attack killed trainer Jessica Radcliffe , which was later proven fake. Fact-checking shows that the Maris Ellington story is also false. Maris Ellington Orca Attack Viral Video A few months ago, Facebook posts and online videos alleged that Maris Ellington was fatally attacked by an orca named Cairo during a routine show at Ocean World. The posts described her as having a close connection with marine life. They claimed the performance took a tragic turn, leading to her death. The content also presented the case as an example of the dangers faced by marine trainers in captivity. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program — DHAS013 (@DHAS013) What Social Media Posts Say? The posts claimed a documentary was being made about the incident. It reportedly aimed to highlight risks faced by trainers, ethical concerns about keeping marine animals for entertainment, and the consequences of broken trust between humans and orcas. The narrative suggested that Maris' story was a warning about the treatment of marine life in captivity and called for improved safety measures. Also Read: Why did Jimmy Kimmel take Italian Citizenship? Here's when late-night show host plans to leave US Live Events Maris Ellington Orca Attack Viral Video Fact-Check Findings According to an investigation by Fact Crescendo, no credible evidence supports the claim that Maris Ellington existed or died in an orca attack. No official statement from Ocean World, marine parks, or law enforcement confirms the event. There are also no verified news reports documenting such an incident. The images and videos shared online were found to be digitally altered. Some footage was taken from unrelated orca incidents, including the well-known 2010 SeaWorld attack on trainer Dawn Brancheau. This material was reused to create a false narrative about Maris Ellington. Also Read: Covid outbreak panic: Attorney warns of Covid surge in Florida's infamous Alligator Alcatraz immigration jail Connection to Other Fake Orca Attack Viral Videos The re-emergence of the Maris Ellington claim followed the spread of another viral but fake video involving Jessica Radcliffe. Both cases used edited or misrepresented footage to appear authentic. Such videos often resurface after real orca-related incidents, misleading viewers and spreading misinformation. Is Maris Ellington Orca Attack Video Video Real or Fake? The absence of any official records, credible witness accounts, or mainstream media coverage makes it clear the incident never happened. In genuine marine park accidents, news agencies and authorities quickly release verified information. This was not the case with the Maris Ellington claim. FAQs Did orca trainer Maris Ellington die in an Ocean World performance? No. Investigations confirm no evidence of such an event, and no credible records of Maris Ellington or the alleged killer whale attack exist. What footage was used in the fake Maris Ellington video? The video reused old clips, including scenes from the 2010 SeaWorld incident involving trainer Dawn Brancheau, along with digitally altered images.
Economic Times
7 hours ago
- Economic Times
Why did Jimmy Kimmel take Italian Citizenship? Here's when late-night show host plans to leave US
Why did Jimmy Kimmel take Italian Citizenship? See when the late-night show host plans to leave the US. Jimmy Kimmel revealed he obtained Italian citizenship in 2025 as a potential exit plan amid concerns over Donald Trump's presidency. Speaking on Sarah Silverman's podcast, Kimmel criticized Trump's administration, discussed the backlash against changing political views, and joined a list of celebrities considering relocation due to political climate worries. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why Did Jimmy Kimmel Take Italian Citizenship? Trend of Celebrities Leaving the US Donald Trump's Reaction to Jimmy Kimmel's Criticism Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads View on Changing Political Opinions When Late-Night Show Host Jimmy Kimmel Plans to Leave US? Longstanding Tensions Between Trump and Talk Show Hosts FAQs Kimmel has confirmed he secured Italian citizenship this year, citing it as a potential escape route amid his concerns about President Donald Trump's administration. Speaking on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, Kimmel described the current political environment in the United States as worse than expected, joining a list of celebrities exploring relocation explained that political developments under Trump influenced his decision. He said the situation was 'so much worse' than anticipated, suggesting even Trump might find it more challenging than planned. He confirmed his Italian citizenship serves as a contingency if political tensions move follows a broader trend among public figures who have relocated due to political disagreements. Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres have left the US since Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the last presidential election. O'Donnell recently told Variety she would not return soon, citing her child's safety and the political frequently critiques Trump in his Jimmy Kimmel Live monologues. Trump has publicly suggested that Kimmel's show could face cancellation, following CBS's decision to end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Responding on air, Kimmel referenced a past Wall Street Journal report about a 2003 letter from Trump to Jeffrey the podcast, Kimmel also addressed criticism aimed at public figures who alter their political stance. He cited podcaster Joe Rogan, who faced backlash for questioning Trump's deportation policies despite previously supporting him. Kimmel stressed that people should be allowed to change their minds, acknowledging that admitting past mistakes is rare and obtaining Italian citizenship, Kimmel intends to continue hosting his ABC late-night show. However, he acknowledged that the new citizenship gives him flexibility if the political situation in the US becomes untenable. If he were to leave, he would join several entertainers who have chosen to live abroad during Trump's has faced criticism from numerous comedians, talk show hosts, and actors throughout his political career. Stephen Colbert, for example, has regularly targeted Trump's public statements and actions in his monologues. Kimmel's remarks add to the list of entertainment industry figures voicing opposition to the Kimmel obtained Italian citizenship in 2025 as a possible exit option due to political concerns about President Donald Trump's administration and its impact on the U.S. O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres are among celebrities who have moved abroad following Trump's presidential win, citing political climate and personal safety concerns.
