In a monumental cinematic moment that celebrates not just Indian film history but global cinematic heritage, a fully restored and uncut version of Ramesh Sippy’s timeless 1975 blockbuster Sholay is set to have its world premiere at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy, on June 27, 2025.
The screening marks a significant milestone—the film’s 50th anniversary—and comes as a tribute to one of the most revered and beloved films in the annals of Indian cinema.
The announcement was made by the Film Heritage Foundation, which partnered with Sippy Films—the production house behind the original movie—to bring this cinematic gem back to life. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the foundation expressed pride in unveiling the “restored uncut version” of the film, presenting it in the form the director had originally envisioned.
This historic event will take place in the heart of Bologna, in the medieval Piazza Maggiore, where the restored film will be showcased on a massive open-air screen.
Audiences attending this unique screening will be treated to a rare cinematic experience: the original, unaltered ending, along with two previously deleted scenes, neither of which was part of the theatrical version widely seen by audiences across the world since the 1970s.
A Restoration of Epic Proportions
The meticulous restoration process was handled by the L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory—a world-renowned facility specializing in classic film preservation—in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films.
The restoration effort is more than just a technical feat; it’s a cultural resurrection, ensuring that Sholay can be preserved for future generations in its most complete, authentic form.
To achieve this, preservationists used the best surviving film materials, including:
- An interpositive and two colour reversal intermediates were found in a UK warehouse,
- A second interpositive from 1978, which had been deposited by Sippy Films and preserved by the Film Heritage Foundation.
The outcome is a 4K digitally restored version that recaptures the cinematic beauty, texture, and scale of the original, as intended by director Ramesh Sippy.
Why Sholay Still Resonates Today
Often hailed as the greatest Indian film ever made, Sholay is more than just a movie—it’s a phenomenon. It redefined mainstream Hindi cinema by seamlessly blending multiple genres: action, drama, romance, comedy, and even Western-style adventure.
The plot follows two lovable rogues, Veeru (played by Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan), who are hired by a vengeful, crippled ex-police officer, Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar), to track down and capture the dreaded bandit Gabbar Singh, a role immortalized by Amjad Khan in a performance that redefined the Hindi film villain archetype.
From its deeply layered characters to its tightly woven narrative and unforgettable dialogues—“Kitne aadmi the?”, “Yeh haath mujhe de de Thakur”, and “Jo darr gaya, samjho marr gaya”—Sholay carved itself into the collective consciousness of Indian audiences. Its cinematography, inspired by Hollywood Westerns, and R.D. Burman’s legendary soundtrack, which featured timeless classics like “Yeh Dosti” and “Mehbooba Mehbooba”, ensured that Sholay was not just a film, but a cultural landmark.
Preserving a Masterpiece for the Future
In its statement, the Film Heritage Foundation emphasized that this restoration was not merely about reclaiming the original print—it was about reclaiming the soul of a cinematic masterpiece that shaped generations of filmmakers and moviegoers.
“The restoration of Sholay ensures that future generations can appreciate the film’s artistic and cultural significance in its most authentic form. 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,” said the foundation.
With this global premiere in Italy, Sholay finds itself reintroduced not just to nostalgic Indian fans but to a new international audience, many of whom may be discovering the film for the first time in its full, undiluted power.
As Sholay turns 50, it remains as electrifying and resonant as it was in 1975. It is a film that has stood the test of time, not only for its technical brilliance and epic storytelling but also for its ability to capture the human spirit, the pain of loss, the thrill of friendship, and the cost of justice.
In many ways, Sholay is India’s cinematic gift to the world, and its restored release is a triumphant reminder of how classic cinema can continue to inspire, entertain, and unite—even across decades and continents.