50 years later... Sholay returns to cinemas in restored version

Time of India

5 hours ago

Sholay to return in cinemas later this year
This August, Sholay will turn 50. And the celebration has already begun - thousands of miles away from Ramgarh - in a theatre where Fellini once ruled. Next week, Italy is hosting the world premiere of the newly restored, uncut version of
Ramesh Sippy
's iconic film at II Cinema Ritrovato festival.
When it was first released in 1975, Sholay turned into a phenomenon - running for over five years in some theatres. While Dharmendra calls it 'duniya ka aathwan ajuba,'
Amitabh Bachchan
says, 'At the time, I had no idea it would be a watershed for
Indian cinema
.'
Now, five decades later, the film is returning to theatres in a restored version. As it prepares for its comeback on Indian screens this August, we take a look at how the restoration came to life.
Sholay
Shooting for Sholay was an unforgettable experience: Amitabh Bachchan
Reminiscing the film, Amitabh Bachchan says, 'Some things in life remain permanently etched in your mind. Sholay is one such film. Shooting for the film was an unforgettable experience, but at the time I had no idea that it would be a watershed for Indian cinema. Its dramatic change in fortunes from being declared an unsuccessful venture, to its record-breaking box office run was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us.I hope that even 50 years later, the film will capture the imagination of new audiences across the world.
'
Can't wait for Sholay to begin its new lease of life: Shehzad Sippy
Talking about the restoration, Producer Shehzad Sippy, shares, "It has taken us three years, but we were able to find the original ending and some deleted scenes that the world will see for the first time at the grand premiere at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna. I can't wait for 'Sholay' to begin its new lease of life.'
'This world premiere in Italy is a recognition of Sholay's place in global cinematic history'
'Sholay is often described as the greatest Indian film ever made,' says Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation.
As he talks about the restoration, he says, 'I know every frame and every dialogue of the film by heart. Sholay was a masterpiece of passion that generations of Indians have loved and seen time and time again. Despite the fact that we could not use the original camera negative and that not a single 70mm print survives, we have left no stone unturned to ensure that this historic film has been beautifully restored,The Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival is renowned for its dedication to showcasing restored and classic films.This world premiere marks not just a celebration of a film, but a recognition of its enduring power and its place in global cinematic history.
"
I am thrilled to hear that the film is being restored: Dharmendra
I am thrilled to hear that the film is being restored and I am sure it will have the same success as it had 50 years ago. Who can forget the dialogues of Salim-Javed and the direction of Ramesh Sippy? So many scenes have gone down in the history of Indian cinema.
The restoration over three years
-In 2022, Shehzad Sippy began discussions with the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) to restore Sholay
-Original 35mm camera and sound negatives were found in a Mumbai warehouse. Additional film elements were located at Iron Mountain in the UK, with support from the British Film Institute (BFI)
-Reels from Mumbai and London were sent to L'Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna for restoration. The original camera negative was too damaged to use. The team worked with interpositives from both cities
-A colour reversal intermediate found in London included the original ending and two deleted scenes
-The FHF also sourced the original Arri 2C camera used to shoot the film. With no surviving 70mm prints, veteran cinematographer Kamlakar Rao, who had worked alongside Sholay's DOP Dwarka Divecha, was consulted
- The final restored version combines two interpositives and two colour reversal intermediates, bringing back the director's original vision, including the lost scenes and original ending
Did You Know?
The original ending and previously deleted scenes that were not part of the widely distributed theatrical cut of Sholay. They have been included in the restored version.
Sholay
Sholay