Sholay is a 1975 Indian Hindi-language action-adventure film directed by Ramesh Sippy, produced by his father G. P. Sippy, and written by Salim–Javed. The film is about two criminals, Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan), hired by a retired police officer (Sanjeev Kumar) to capture the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Hema Malini and Jaya Bhaduri also star, as Veeru and Jai’s love interests, Basanti and Radha, respectively. The music was composed by R D Burman.
Movie Overview
| Director | Ramesh Sippy |
| Producer | G. P. Sippy |
| Writer | Salim–Javed |
| Stars | Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Amjad Khan |
| Music Director | R D Burman |
| Release Date | August 15, 1975 |
| Running Time | 204 minutes |
| Language | Hindi |
| Country | India |
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
| Budget | ₹2 crores |
| Box Office | ₹15 crores (India), ₹18 crores (Worldwide) |
Movie Plot
Sholay is set in the fictional village of Ramgarh, which is terrorized by a ruthless dacoit named Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar), a retired police officer, hires two small-time criminals, Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan), to capture Gabbar Singh. Veeru and Jai fall in love with two women in the village, Basanti (Hema Malini) and Radha (Jaya Bhaduri), respectively. However, their mission becomes complicated when Gabbar Singh kills Thakur Baldev Singh’s family.
Cast and Crew
- Dharmendra as Veeru
- Sanjeev Kumar as Thakur Baldev Singh
- Hema Malini as Basanti
- Amitabh Bachchan as Jai (Jaidev)
- Jaya Bhaduri as Radha, Thakur’s daughter-in-law
- Iftekhar as Inspector Khurana, Radha’s Father
- Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh
- Satyen Kappu as Ramlaal, Thakur’s servant
- A. K. Hangal as Rahim Chacha, the imam in the village
- Sachin Pilgaonkar as Ahmed, son of the imam
- Jagdeep as Soorma Bhopali, a comical wood trader
- Leela Mishra as Mausi, Basanti’s maternal aunt
- Asrani as the Jailor, a comical character modelled after Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator
- Keshto Mukherjee as Hariram, prison barber and Jailor’s side-kick
- Mac Mohan as Sambha, Gabbar Singh’s sidekick
- Viju Khote as Kaalia, another of Gabbar’s men whom he kills in a game of Russian roulette
- Vikas Anand as Jailor
- Helen in a special appearance in song “Mehbooba Mehbooba”
- Jalal Agha in a special appearance in song “Mehbooba Mehbooba”
- Raj Kishore as a jail inmate with gayish mannerisms
- Arvind Joshi as elder son of Thakur Baldev Singh
- Sharad Kumar as Ninni, younger son of Thakur Baldev Singh
- Gita Siddharth as Geeta, Baldev Singh daughter in law
Budget
The budget for Sholay was ₹2 crores.
Box Office Collections
Sholay was a commercial success, grossing ₹15 crores in India and ₹18 crores worldwide. It was the highest-grossing Indian film until Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994).
Movie Review
Sholay is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential Indian films of all time. It was ranked first in the British Film Institute’s 2002 poll of “Top 10 Indian Films” of all time. In 2005, the judges of the 50th Filmfare Awards named it the Best Film of 50 Years. The film is a Dacoit Western (sometimes called a “Curry Western”), combining the conventions of Indian dacoit films with that of Spaghetti Westerns along with elements of Samurai cinema. Sholay is also a defining example of the masala film, which mixes several genres in one work.
Sholay has been widely praised by critics for its action sequences, its dialogue, its performances, and its music. It has been cited as an influence on many later Indian films.
What Critics Say?
- The New York Times: “Sholay is a big, sprawling, entertaining film that is full of action, adventure, and humor. It is a must-see for any fan of Indian cinema.”
- The Guardian: “Sholay is a classic of Indian cinema that is still popular today. It is a well-made film with a great story, characters, and music.”
- Empire: “Sholay is a groundbreaking film that had a major impact on Indian cinema. It was one of the first Indian films to combine the conventions of Indian dacoit films with that of Spaghetti Westerns.”
- The Hindu: “Sholay is a film that is relevant to today’s world. It explores themes of good versus evil, justice, and the power of friendship. These themes are still relevant today.”
- BBC: “Sholay is a fun and entertaining film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a must-see for any fan of action movies.”
Overall, Sholay is a critically acclaimed film that is considered to be one of the greatest Indian films of all time.
Why Should Watch?
Sholay is a must-see for any fan of Indian cinema. Here are five reasons why:
- It is a classic film that has stood the test of time. Sholay was released in 1975, but it is still popular today. It is regularly shown on Indian television and is available on DVD and Blu-ray.
- It is a well-made film with a great story, characters, and music. Sholay has a gripping story that is full of action, suspense, and humor. The characters are well-developed and memorable, and the music is iconic.
- It is a groundbreaking film that had a major impact on Indian cinema. Sholay was one of the first Indian films to combine the conventions of Indian dacoit films with that of Spaghetti Westerns. It also helped to popularize the masala film genre.
- It is a film that is relevant to today’s world. Sholay explores themes of good versus evil, justice, and the power of friendship. These themes are still relevant today.
- It is a fun and entertaining film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sholay is a must-see for any fan of action movies.
Conclusion
Sholay is a timeless classic that is sure to entertain and engage viewers of all ages. It is a must-see for any fan of Indian cinema.