Part of Weekend Classics
Conceived as the biggest action-adventure film ever made in India, Ramesh Sippy’s deeply influential 1975 “Curry Western” remains a towering landmark in film history. Written by the legendary screenwriting duo Salim–Javid, the film stars Sanjeev Kumar as a retired cop who — in seeking revenge against a nihilistic dacoit leader (Amjad Khan) — enlists the help of two slick, charismatic crooks whom he put behind bars (unforgettably portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra). Naturally, the criminal duo soon fall in love with two local village girls, but danger remains on the horizon. A delirious four-course meal of action, musical numbers, ultramagnetic performances from Indian cinema’s most iconic actors, and jaw-dropping wide-screen 70mm cinematography, SHOLAY is here presented in its recently completed director’s cut — the most faithful approximation of Sippy’s original ending before it was censored by the Indian Censor Board.
Restored by Film Heritage Foundation at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in association with Sippy Films. Funding provided by Sippy Films. SHOLAY was restored using the best surviving elements: an interpositive and two color reversal intermediates found in a warehouse in the U.K. and a second interpositive dating from 1978 deposited by Sippy Films and preserved by Film Heritage Foundation. The sound was restored using the original sound negative, and the magnetic soundtrack preserved by Film Heritage Foundation. The film was originally shot on 35mm and blown up to 70mm for release. No 70mm prints of the film survive. The original camera negative was severely damaged due to heavy vinegar syndrome with coils adhesion and halos, overcoat deterioration both on base side and emulsion side, and base distortion. This restoration of the film in 4K includes the original ending as well as two deleted scenes and with the original 70mm aspect ratio of 2.2:1.
“Despite a modest initial reception, the 204-minute epic dominated the Indian box office for 19 years after its release. Its dialogues have achieved legendary status and remain instantly recognizable half a century later.” —Devansh Sharma, Indian Express “You can divide Hindi cinema into two eras, pre-and-post SHOLAY. It is a landmark. They don't make 'em like this anymore.” — Shubhra Gupta, Indian Express “A grand, maximalist revel…. There are many ways to achieve greatness, and the way of SHOLAY is with heroism, villainy, redemption, revenge, true love, and as many stars as there are in the sky.” —Danny Bowes, rogerebert.com
