Indian cinema’s most iconic film, Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay, is set to receive a grand global premiere of its fully restored, uncut version at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy, on June 27, 2025. This landmark screening, commemorating the film’s 50th anniversary, will take place on the breathtakingly large open-air screen in Piazza Maggiore, offering a magnificent backdrop for this beloved classic.
The meticulously restored version is a collaborative effort by the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd., bringing back the film as it was originally intended. Audiences at the festival will have the unique opportunity to see the original ending, where Gabbar Singh is killed by Thakur, and previously deleted scenes that were not part of the widely distributed theatrical cut, offering a fresh perspective on a cinematic masterpiece. The original ending was reportedly removed following the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) directives due to perceived excessive violence.
The restoration process, which spanned nearly three years, proved to be a complex endeavor. The primary challenge lay in the severely deteriorated condition of the original camera negative, making it unsuitable for restoration. Consequently, the restoration predominantly utilized interpositives located in London and Mumbai. Fortuitously, a color reversal intermediate discovered in London remarkably contained the original ending and two previously deleted scenes. The Film Heritage Foundation also successfully acquired the original Arri 2C camera instrumental in the filming of Sholay.
Given the absence of any surviving 70mm prints – Sholay was India’s first 70mm film – the Film Heritage Foundation consulted with veteran cinematographer Kamlakar Rao, who had collaborated on Sholay with the film’s cinematographer Dwarka Divecha. Rao’s invaluable insights guided the decision to adopt a 2.2:1 aspect ratio for the restored film. The sound restoration was meticulously conducted utilizing both the original sound negative and magnetic elements found at the Sippy Films office.
Amitabh Bachchan, who played Jai in the film, reflected on the enduring impact of Sholay, stating, “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.” He added, “It’s wonderful that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored Sholay and that they have managed to locate and include the original ending as well as some deleted scenes in the restoration. I hope that even 50 years later, the film will capture the imagination of new audiences across the world.”
Dharmendra, who portrayed Veeru, affectionately called Sholay “the 8th wonder of the world.” He expressed his thrill at the restoration, confident that it would achieve the same success it did five decades ago.
Shehzad Sippy, Producer, Sippy Films, highlighted the personal significance of the project: “‘Sholay’ is the cornerstone of our family heritage and I am so proud that Sippy Films has been able to do a world-class restoration of the film with Film Heritage Foundation. 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. It’s been a labour of love to resurrect the film and this is a tribute to the vision and the legacy of my grandfather G.P. Sippy.”
The Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival is renowned for its dedication to showcasing restored and classic films, making it an ideal venue for this significant premiere. 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, ensuring that future generations can appreciate Sholay‘s artistic and cultural significance in its most authentic form.
Key Highlights:
- The fully restored and uncut version of the iconic Indian film Sholay will have its global premiere at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy, on June 27, 2025, to mark its 50th anniversary.
- This restored version, a collaboration between the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films, will feature the original ending where Gabbar Singh is killed by Thakur, and previously deleted scenes not seen in the widely released theatrical cut.
- The three-year restoration process was challenging, relying on interpositives from London and Mumbai due to the deteriorated original negative, with a fortunate discovery of the original ending and deleted scenes in a color reversal intermediate.
- Veteran actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra expressed their excitement about the restoration, highlighting the film’s enduring legacy and hoping it continues to captivate new audiences worldwide.