50 years of ‘Sholay’ - Iconic bollywood classic celebrated at BFI London film festival

The British Film Institute (BFI) will mark the golden jubilee of the Bollywood classic Sholay with a special screening of its restored director’s cut at the 69th BFI London Film Festival. The festival runs from October 8 to 19, 2025, with the screening scheduled for October 19 at 10:30 AM on the UK’s largest screen, the BFI IMAX, as part of its closing day celebrations. The restored version will feature the original ending and never-before-seen deleted scenes, offering audiences a chance to experience Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 masterpiece as originally envisioned.

The BFI London Film Festival, the UK’s largest public film festival, is a globally significant platform that showcases over 300 films from more than 50 countries. Established in 1957, it began as a “festival of festivals,” curating award-winning films from Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, and has since evolved to celebrate premieres, restorations, innovative storytelling, and diverse voices. In recent years, it has incorporated immersive, XR, and experimental media, while continuing to honor cinematic heritage through retrospectives and restored classics. This year’s edition emphasizes discovery, film heritage, and global voices, with the inaugural LFF Expanded Industry Day on 15 October dedicated to immersive and experimental storytelling.

India’s presence in the 2025 festival is highlighted by two official entries: Sholay and Anuparna Roy’s debut feature, Songs of Forgotten Trees, which competes in the First Feature category. Additionally, Ahmed Alauddin Jamal’s Hotel London will also be showcased, further spotlighting contemporary Indian cinema alongside the timeless classic.

Sholay tells the story of two small-time criminals, Jai and Veeru, who are hired by a retired police officer, Thakur, to capture the ruthless bandit Gabbar Singh. The film weaves friendship, revenge, love, and heroism through memorable characters, thrilling action, and dramatic confrontations in the rugged landscape of rural India.

Released on August 15, 1975, Sholay revolutionized Indian cinema with iconic characters Jai and Veeru (Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra), Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar), Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan), Basanti (Hema Malini), and Radha (Jaya Bachchan). Initially dismissed as a flop, the film went on to become one of India’s greatest box-office successes. Amitabh Bachchan said, “It’s wonderful that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored Sholay with the original ending. Shooting the film was unforgettable, and Jai remains permanently etched in my mind.” His co-star Dharmendra added, “So many scenes became history, but Jai’s death still lingers with me.”

The restoration was spearheaded by Shehzad Sippy of Sippy Films in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of the Foundation remarked, “It took us three years to find the original ending and deleted scenes. Despite challenges, we ensured the film was beautifully resurrected.” The BFI describes Sholay as a “curry-western” with groundbreaking action, memorable characters, and timeless storytelling. Its golden jubilee screening at the London Film Festival is expected to be a global celebration of one of India’s most iconic cinematic achievements, bridging the past and present for audiences worldwide.