In the ever-evolving world of cinema many films come and go but some films redefine Indian cinema and leave a deep and everlasting impression. One such example of this is a film that was released in the year 1975. This film was not just a commercial hit but it was a cultural revolution that redefined storytelling characterisation and cinematic scale in India. Even after 50 years of its release it maintains the status of a cult classic and is remembered fondly for its iconic dialogues powerful storytelling and unforgettable characters. Yes the film that we are talking about is none other than the cult classic Sholay. Whats interesting is that when this film was first released it received an underwhelming response. In fact in the first three days the film failed to perform at the box office leaving the makers worried. As per the reports the climax was even considered for alteration and the film was nearly re-released with changes. But destiny had other plans. After the fourth day the tides turned and theaters were full for this film. What happened later was nothing that anybody predicted. This film got so much love and appreciation that it created a history of running for over five years at Mumbai’s iconic Minerva theatre a record that very few films have matched. Blockbuster that gave Bollywood two new superstars Not only was this film a commercial hit but it gave Bollywood its two new superstars. It turned the cast into overnight legends. Amitabh Bachchan as Jai and Dharmendra as Veeru became household names while Sanjeev Kumar’s role as the tough yet emotional retired police officer Thakur remains one of his most iconic performances. Hema Malini as Basanti and Jaya Bhaduri as Radha brought elegance and emotion to the story. But it was Amjad Khan’s portrayal of the dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh that became immortal in Indian pop culture. Even today his dialogues “Kitne aadmi the?” and “Jo darr gaya samjho mar gaya” resonate with the audience and echo after years. Record-Breaking Success Speaking of its budget this film was shot extensively in the rocky terrains of Ramanagara in Karnataka; the shoot spanned nearly two and a half years. As per the reports the film was made on a staggering budget of Rs 3 crores. The film earned gold at the box office; it collected Rs 35 crores worldwide and was marked as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of its time. Even today Sholay resonates with the audience and continues to inspire filmmakers and entertain the audience.