#IFFIWood, 27 November 2025

Cinema lovers were transported back in time as the legendary filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, creator of the iconic Hindi film Sholay, took the audience on a riveting journey through the movie’s history at an ‘In-Conversation’ session titled “50 Years of Sholay: Why Sholay Still Resonates?” during the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

The session, hosted by his wife and versatile actor-producer Kiran Sippy, was filled with nostalgia, revelations, and heartfelt tributes as Ramesh Sippy reflected on the making of a film that became nothing short of a cultural milestone.

The Original Ending Returns After 50 Years

Ramesh Sippy shared one of the most eagerly awaited announcements for cinephiles: the re-release of Sholay—this time with its original ending intact!

When the film first released in 1975 during the Emergency, the then censor board objected to the climax where Thakur Baldev Singh kills Gabbar Singh using his spiked shoes, insisting that a police officer could not be portrayed seeking revenge. Reluctantly, the film maker and his team had to reshoot the ending.

“Now you will see the movie as it was made,” an elated Sippy told the audience, celebrating the long-overdue restoration of his creative vision.

A Fresh Landscape and a Fearsome Villain

The director described how he sought a completely new visual palette for the film. At a time when Hindi cinema’s dacoit dramas were mostly shot in Rajasthan and the Chambal valley, Ramesh Sippy scouted and discovered the rugged terrain near Mysuru and Bengaluru. The rocky backdrop gave Sholay a distinctive look never seen before in Indian cinema.

This setting also added an unusual contrast—Gabbar Singh, with his raw UP accent, terrorizing a landscape in South India. Speaking about Amjad Khan’s unforgettable portrayal, Sippy revealed that Danny Denzongpa was the original choice but was unavailable due to overseas shooting commitments. Amjad Khan, recommended by writers Salim–Javed, impressed Sippy with his theatrical prowess, and the rest became cinematic history.

The iconic film-maker also noted that the screenwriting duo had initially pitched a two-line concept to Manmohan Desai, who passed on it. But the Sippys’ father-son duo, that is, the great GP Sippy and son Ramesh Sippy immediately recognized its potential. Within a month, the screenplay was complete, and a mercurial villain was born when Sippy told Salim–Javed he wanted a character who was unpredictably dangerous. That is how Hindi cinema got one of its finest villains of all times, stated the maker of Sholay.

Remembering the Giants

Reflecting on the passage of time, Ramesh Sippy grew emotional remembering the towering actors of the film who are no longer with us. He paid heartfelt tribute to Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, and Dharmendra, who passed away recently.

In a touching anecdote, Ramesh Sippy recalled Late Dharmendra’s dedication during a horse-riding action sequence where the saddle slipped and the actor fell. “My heart stopped for a moment,” said Ramesh Sippy, “but Dharam ji just stood up, dusted himself off, and was ready to go again. He always wanted to push himself and try new things.”

Sholay’s Unmatched Craftsmanship

Sippy emphasized that Sholay was a product of extraordinary teamwork. Out of the many firsts introduced by the film, one should know that it was the first Indian film to bring in a professional fight-sequence team from the UK. It pioneered safety protocols for action scenes in Hindi cinema, informed Kiran Sippy.

In course of interaction with the audience, the film maker also stated Cinematographer Dwarka Divecha set new benchmarks with his visual storytelling. He also recalled Production manager Ajiz Bhai played a pivotal role behind the scenes.

The evocative lighting of Jaya Bhaduri's evening lamp sequence took days to capture, waiting each day for the perfect “magic hour.”, revealed the master film maker. 

He also reminisced about the timeless song “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge”, penned by Anand Bakshi and composed by R.D. Burman, which continues to echo across generations. 

A Legacy That Lives On

As the session concluded, one thing was clear—Sholay is not just a film. It is a living legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers, enthrall audiences, and redefine the boundaries of Indian cinema.

With its 50-year celebration and the long-awaited return of its original ending, Sholay is ready to roar once again—exactly as the iconic maker Ramesh Sippy envisioned it half a century ago.

As part of its tribute to the 50th anniversary of Sholay, IFFI has showcased the film’s iconic motorbike on the festival grounds, where it is drawing significant interest from cinema lovers.

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PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Ritu Shukla/Sangeeta Godbole/Sriyanka Chatterjee/Darshana Rane | IFFI 56 - 100