The legendary 1975 film Sholay, directed by Ramesh Sippy and featuring stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, is making a comeback to theaters. A newly restored uncut 4K version of this classic action drama will debut on June 27, 2025, at the renowned Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy.

This special screening, organized by the Film Heritage Foundation in partnership with Sippy Films, is scheduled for 9:45 PM and will be showcased on a grand open-air screen in the historic Piazza Maggiore, providing a stunning backdrop for this cinematic gem.

The announcement was shared on social media on June 23, highlighting that audiences will have the chance to view the original ending along with previously deleted scenes that were not included in the original theatrical release. This restoration, carried out by the Film Heritage Foundation at the L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory, was made possible with funding from Sippy Films. The foundation expressed gratitude to Shehzad Sippy for spearheading the restoration of this iconic film.

Reflecting on the film's legacy, Amitabh Bachchan remarked, “Certain experiences remain forever in your memory. Sholay is one such film. The shooting was unforgettable, and I never anticipated its monumental impact on Indian cinema.”

He continued, “The film's journey from being labeled a failure to achieving record-breaking success was an emotional ride for all involved. It’s fantastic that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored Sholay, including the original ending and deleted scenes. I hope that even after 50 years, it continues to captivate new audiences globally.”

Dharmendra echoed similar sentiments, referring to Sholay as the “8th wonder of the world.” He expressed excitement about the restoration, confident it would replicate its past success. He reminisced about the film's memorable dialogues and direction, stating, “Every character became iconic, but the true hero was the coin.”

He also shared an interesting tidbit, revealing, “Many are unaware that I was offered the roles of Gabbar and Thakur, but I insisted on playing Veeru, as he resonates with my personality. The shoot was a blast, and my favorite scenes include the tanki scene and the temple scene, but the most impactful was Jai's death, which remains vivid in my memory.”

Originally released on August 15, 1975, Sholay is hailed as a pivotal moment in Indian cinema. Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by the iconic duo Salim-Javed, the film features a stellar cast, including Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Asrani, and Mac Mohan.