A Gen-Z review of Sholay: 50 years later, still a total vibe

India Today

6 hours ago

Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra's 'Sholay' is turning the big 50, and guess what? This banger is still vibing with Gen-Z. If you think this film is just your father's favourite that he insists on quoting every Sunday afternoon, think again.Released in 1975, Ramesh Sippy's magnum opus is basically the OG multiverse of drama, comedy, romance, and action, minus the CGI explosions. And when you watch it through a Gen-Z lens, you realise 'Sholay' was kind of ahead of its time. advertisementHere's why I think so.Basanti – The original 'IT girl'
Before Instagram influencers made being 'quirky but relatable' a trend, there was Basanti. A talkative, self-sufficient, horse-cart-driving queen who could literally run her own ride-share business if Uber existed in Ramgarh.She didn't need rescuing, except when she was forced to dance in front of Gabbar's gang, and even then, she owned the scene. Her unapologetic personality, endless energy, and the audacity to flirt with Veeru in full public view? Big Gen-Z energy. If Basanti existed today, she'd be rocking neon eyeliner, posting 'POV: you're my Veeru' reels, and running a side hustle selling chai with motivational quotes.
(Credit: X/mohsin_ali1508)
Jai and Veeru – The bromance blueprint
Forget 'Stranger Things'. Dustin and Steve, Jai and Veeru walked so you could run. The friendship between Amitabh Bachchan's Jai and Dharmendra's Veeru was a masterclass in loyalty, banter, and that unspoken 'I've got your back' vibe.From pulling petty pranks to risking their lives for each other, their dynamic was pure ride-or-die energy. If they were around today, you'd find them sharing a Spotify playlist titled 'Road Trip, but make it chaotic', and roasting each other on Instagram stories while low-key saving each other's lives in between.Also, let's not forget, Jai gave up his life for Veeru without a dramatic monologue. Just saying, some men don't need to validate their actions.Gabbar Singh – The original meme villain
Before Marvel gave us Loki and DC gave us Joker, Bollywood had Gabbar Singh, played with spine-chilling brilliance by Amjad Khan. His laugh alone could be a No Free Ticket.Gabbar wasn't just a bandit; he was an unhinged performance artist. The 'Kitne aadmi the?' (how many men were there) scene? Cinematic gold. His unpredictability made him terrifying, yet his dialogue delivery was so iconic that it became meme material decades before memes existed.advertisementIf Gabbar existed in 2025, he'd be a viral sound on TikTok, with influencers lip-syncing his 'Arre o Sambha' (Hey Samba) line while selling protein powder.Thakur Baldev Singh – Stoic and slightly petty
Played by Sanjeev Kumar, Thakur was a man of few words but many calculated moves. With his calm demeanour and burning sense of justice, he's basically the 'strong, silent type' every Gen-Z situationship thinks they're dating.The twist that he'd lost his arms to Gabbar? Dramatic storytelling at its best. Thakur's final showdown, taking Gabbar down without weapons, wasn't just vengeance; it was poetic justice. And honestly, the man had a drip. Oh, and that white kurta was timeless!Why Gen-Z should careYes, 'Sholay' is long (over three hours), but it's the kind of movie you can snack your way through and still be glued to the screen. It has layered characters, quotable dialogues, and emotional beats that hit harder than a surprise text from your ex.It's not just a movie, it's a mood board for friendship goals, feminist swagger, villain energy, and epic storytelling. Whether you're here for Basanti's sass, Jai and Veeru's loyalty, Gabbar's madness, or Thakur's revenge, 'Sholay' is the rare Bollywood film that still feels fresh. Just swap the horses for e-scooters, and you could drop it on Netflix today.- EndsMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Amitabh Bachchan#Hema Malini