Islamabad, June 24, 2025: Bollywood’s timeless classic Sholay is set to relive its cinematic glory as it returns to the big screen in a fully restored, uncut version, marking its historic 50th anniversary. The world premiere will take place on June 27 at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Piazza Maggiore, a fitting tribute to a film that transformed Indian cinema forever.
The Sholay restored version will showcase two previously unseen scenes and the original ending, which were omitted from the 1975 theatrical release. This globally anticipated premiere invites audiences to experience the film’s authentic essence as envisioned by its makers.
Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by the legendary duo Salim-Javed, Sholay redefined Indian storytelling by blending action, emotion, comedy, and suspense. Its powerful performances by Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and the iconic Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh turned it into a cultural phenomenon.
The 4K restoration process took over three years to complete. The original negative was damaged, forcing the restoration team to rely on interpositives and a rare color reversal intermediate discovered in London. This effort brought back lost footage unseen for nearly five decades.
“Shehzad Sippy,” grandson of the original producer G.P. Sippy, said, “We were determined to bring back the magic of Sholay. Recovering the original scenes was not easy, but the audience will finally witness the film as it was meant to be seen.”
Actors from the original cast shared their emotions. Amitabh Bachchan called Sholay “permanently etched” in his memory, while Dharmendra dubbed it “the 8th wonder of the world,” expressing joy over its revival.
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As the film prepares to captivate global audiences once again, the Sholay uncut film premiere promises not just nostalgia, but a cinematic experience preserved in time.
