Sholay, often hailed as the pinnacle of Indian cinema, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a restored 4K version set for a limited premiere in Toronto, sparking a mix of nostalgia and discontent among its Indian fanbase.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Hindi films ever made, Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay is reaching its 50-year milestone next week. To commemorate this landmark anniversary, the Film Heritage Foundation has restored the film in a 4K format, but the re-release will be exclusively available for viewing in Toronto. This decision has left many Indian fans disgruntled, as they had hoped for a broader release.
The announcement was made on Friday by the Film Heritage Foundation through social media. The organization unveiled that the restored version will premiere at the TIFF Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025, during a special event at the prestigious Roy Thomson Hall, which seats 1,800 people. This screening is part of the 50th edition of the festival, highlighting the film’s legendary status.
The Film Heritage Foundation collaborated with Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd, the original producers of Sholay, for this restoration project. Despite the restoration event being celebrated, Indian fans have expressed disappointment in the comments section of the announcement, repeatedly asking, “When is it releasing in India?”
The 50th anniversary of Sholay falls on August 15, and there are currently no official plans from the producers or the Film Federation of India to re-release the restored version in Indian theaters. Historically, the film had a successful 70mm restored version release in cinemas in 2005, marking its 30-year anniversary.
In the comment threads, fans have shared their memories and anticipation for the film. One fan reminisced about watching it as a child at the now-defunct Strand Theatre in Colaba, Mumbai, expressing a desire to see it again at the Regal theater. Another fan hoped for a collaboration with major Indian theater chains like PVR-INOX or Cinepolis for a nationwide release. There were even suggestions to host a grand premiere at Mumbai’s New Excelsior, where Sholay originally debuted in 1975.
Sholay, often described as a ‘curry western’ in homage to Hollywood’s cowboy films, features an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini. Upon its 1975 release, Sholay broke all Indian box office records to become the highest-grossing film of its time. Although it eventually lost that title, it remains the most-watched Indian film with over 250 million viewers worldwide.
There remains a profound admiration for Sholay among cinema enthusiasts, who hope to see the restored version grace Indian screens and deliver the cinematic experience in its newly polished format, according to the Hindustan Times.