Sholay At 50: Zoya Akhtar Recalls ‘Emergency Recut Meeting'; Reema Kagti Says 'Mr Bachchan Was...'

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Zoya Akhtar recalls the time when Sholay flopped upon release that led the makers to wonder if they should recut the film. Reema Kagti says Sholay influenced her 'tremendously'.
50 years ago, on August 15, Bollywood's most iconic films, Sholay, hit the screens. It was the highest-grossing Indian film at the time and remained so until Hum Aapke Hain Koun released in 1994. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, Sholay is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential Indian films of all time. Over the years, this curry western became a case study for filmmakers across the globe.
Sure, Sholay is remembered for Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru's (Dharmendra) friendship, Veeru and Basanti's (Hema Malini) endearing and impish chemistry, Jai and Radha's (Jaya Bachchan) unspoken love, Thakur's (Sanjeev Kumar) dialogue baazi and Amjad Khan's menacing portrayal of dacoit Gabbar Singh. But it was also about its secondary characters, Soorma Bhopali (Jagdeep), Mausi (Leela Mishra), Kaalia (Viju Khote) and Samba (Mac Mohan), who won commercial recognition like never before.
The cherry on the cake was RD Burman's magical melodies – Yeh Dosti, Mehbooba Mehbooba, Haa Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Koi Haseena and Holi Ke Din – all of which have aged like fine wine. But as reiterated in Angry Young Men, Sholay wasn't an instant blockbuster. The film also opened to scathing reviews from critics. And to mark its golden jubilee, Sholay co-writer Javed Akhtar's daughter and filmmaker Zoya Akhtar exclusively spoke to News18 Showsha recalling the time when many declared the film a flop.
'When Sholay released, I was three or four. So, I don't remember anything. But later, we found out that when it released, no one was going in to the theatre. There was an emergency meeting that took place at either Mr Bachchan or Mr Sippy's house. They wondered if they should change the end, recut the film or take certain scenes out. But then they decided to wait and give it sometime and not jump the gun," she told us.
However, soon, Sholay became an overnight sensation. 'It took the film a week to pick up and then it ran for seven years at a theatre. It was word-of-mouth that changed everything. It's important that theatres give films time to grow," Zoya remarked. As for her business partner and Tiger Baby Films' co-founder Reema Kagti, Sholay influenced the filmmaker in her 'tremendously'. 'Growing up, Mr Bachchan, for me, was the ultimate hero. It's one of my favourite films," she stated.
She added, 'I've very clear memories of bugging my mom, wanting to watch the film over and over again. A lot of Salim-Javed films were a huge part of my growing up years." So, what was it about Sholay that in particular resonated with her? 'I believe that it's the ultimate story of friendship. I don't remember another film that made me feel so sad. I was very sad when Jai died in the film," Reema said.
The Superboys Of Malegaon and Dahaad director continued, 'As a child, I only remember watching films with a happy ending. It was one of the first films I watched where one of the main leads die and that too in such a heroic way. I also remember Jai's double-headed coin toss. The film definitely added to my love for dramas. All the characters are so memorable. Sholay is magical!"
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