Celebrating 25 Years of 'Sholay': Bollywood Stalwarts Reflect

Mumbai, Aug 15 (PTI) – “Sholay” is a film that transcends time, leaving a profound impact on stars across generations. As the iconic film celebrates its silver jubilee, it evokes cherished memories from Bollywood stalwarts. Salman Khan fondly recalls listening to its iconic dialogues repeatedly, while Sunny Deol holds immense pride in his father, Dharmendra's portrayal of Veeru. Bobby Deol reminisces about his time spent on the sets, and Farhan Akhtar regards it as a film deeply embedded in India's cultural consciousness. Abhishek Bachchan sees it as a defining moment in Indian cinema, given the involvement of his parents in the classic. The film's director, Ramesh Sippy, along with the celebrated writer duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, crafted a tale that redefined mainstream cinema, known for its enduring characters and memorable dialogues.

The 1975 action film featured an ensemble cast with Amitabh Bachchan as Jai, Dharmendra as Veeru, Sanjeev Kumar as Thakur, Hema Malini as Basanti, Jaya Bachchan as Radha, and Amjad Khan as the unforgettable Gabbar Singh.

Salman, the son of Salim Khan, recalls his initial experiences with “Sholay,” often listening to dialogue records as they resonated everywhere. “We’ve seen ‘Sholay’ four to five times," he said. "There was a record of the dialogues, and we would keep listening to it. The songs and dialogues were omnipresent,” Salman told PTI.

Sunny Deol, expressing pride, regards “Sholay” as one of India's most-watched films and a testament to his father's outstanding acting. “I saw ‘Sholay’ during a trial before going abroad. Initially, the business was slow, but it picked up, and even today, it remains a topic of discussion,” Sunny explained.

Bobby Deol shares childhood memories of being on set in Bengaluru, cherishing the time despite being an ardent fan of Jaya Bachchan. “I was fortunate to be on the ‘Sholay’ sets. I still remember the unedited four-hour version I watched and how much it meant to me,” Bobby shared.

Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar, credits “Sholay” for influencing his love for cinema, admiring how every character in the film is unforgettable. “Everyone who has seen ‘Sholay’ carries a subconscious influence. It’s rare for films to have each character, even those with minor roles, be memorable. It’s part of our collective consciousness,” Farhan stated.

Amitabh Bachchan’s son, Abhishek, attributes “Sholay” as a monumental point in Indian cinema, while noting his parents rarely discuss its legacy at home. “My father is not done, and he maintains an attitude of his time being present, not past,” Abhishek remarked.

“Sholay” also inspires filmmakers like Sooraj Barjatya and Karan Johar, both of whom acknowledge its profound influence on their cinematic journeys. Barjatya recalls the perseverance of its makers and the risk they took, while Johar reminisces about watching it during its early years, appreciating the legacy it left behind. “I cherish the passion that created ‘Sholay.’ The way they made action poetic remains inspiring,” Barjatya emphasized. Johar concurs, lauding it for shaping his cinematic roots.

Prakash Jha appreciates the world Salim-Javed crafted, highlighting the lasting impact of Gabbar Singh’s dialogues. “The lore of Gabbar remains vivid in our memories. Even today, lines like ‘Tera kya hoga Kaalia?’ are widely quoted,” Jha concluded.