50 years of Sholay: Overseas re-release in 4K restored version; desi fans miffed

Sholay, probably the most renowned and successful film in Indian cinema history, celebrates its 50th anniversary next week. The Ramesh Sippy film is widely regarded as one of the greatest Hindi films ever made, and to commemorate its golden anniversary, the Film Heritage Foundation has restored the picture in 4K resolution for a restricted screening. However, the screening will only be placed in Toronto, which has displeased desi lovers.

Grand announcement of the re-release

The Film Heritage Foundation announced the North American premiere of the restored version of Sholay via social media on Friday. The company shared a poster of the film and commented, "Indian cinematic classic `Sholay` (1975), directed by Ramesh Sippy, celebrates 50 years with the North American Premiere of the restored version at the 50th edition of the TIFF Toronto International Film Festival! This unique showing will take place on September 6, 2025, at a gala event at the 1800-seat Roy Thomson Hall, in keeping with the film`s legendary status.

The Film Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with Sholay`s producers, Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd restored the film in 4K.

Fan`s reaction to the re-run of the film overseas

However, in the comments section, supporters only asked one question: "When will it be released in India?" Sholay celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 15, and neither the producers nor the FFI have revealed any plans to re-release the repaired version of the picture in theaters. When Sholay reached its 30th anniversary in 2005, a 70mm restored version was re-released in theaters and performed well.

One admirer asked in the comments section, "Please bring it to Regal." "I saw it as a kid at the now-defunct Strand Theatre in Colaba." Another said, "I hope FHF collaborates with PVR-INOX/Cinepolis for a nationwide release in India! Sholay is a masterpiece that everyone should see in its full grandeur!" One fan protested, "India awaits a nationwide release! Ramesh Sippy sir should have a spectacular premiere at the New Excelsior in Mumbai, where it first aired in 1975.

Sholay, a `curry western` in the vein of cowboy flicks from Hollywood, starred Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini. When released in 1975, the picture broke all box office records and became the highest-grossing Indian film. While it lost that record a decade later, Sholay continues to be the most-watched Indian film of all time, with over 25 crore viewers worldwide.