Mumbai: Audiences will get to witness the uncut, restored version of the 1975 cult classic Sholay for the first time at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy.

The world premiere is scheduled for June 27 at the iconic open-air Piazza Maggiore, renowned for hosting some of Europe’s most memorable film events.

The restoration marks the 50th anniversary of the film’s original release and is the result of a three-year collaboration between the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd. For the first time ever, viewers will be able to experience Sholay with its original ending and several deleted scenes that had been missing from the widely circulated version.

Directed by Ramesh Sippy and penned by the celebrated screenwriting duo Salim-Javed, Sholay features a legendary ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan. The film went on to become a cultural milestone in Indian cinema, with unforgettable characters like Veeru, Jai, Thakur, Basanti, and the iconic villain Gabbar Singh.

Speaking to the media ahead of the premiere, Amitabh Bachchan reflected on the film’s journey:

“Some things in life remain permanently etched in your mind. Sholay is one such film. Shooting for the film was an unforgettable experience, but at the time I had no idea that it would be a watershed for Indian cinema. Its dramatic change in fortunes—from being declared an unsuccessful venture to its record-breaking box office run—was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. It’s wonderful that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored Sholay and that they have managed to locate and include the original ending as well as some deleted scenes. I hope that even 50 years later, the film will capture the imagination of new audiences across the world.”

Veteran actor Dharmendra also shared his excitement:

“Sholay is the eighth wonder of the world. I’m thrilled that the film is being restored and I’m sure it will have the same success as it did 50 years ago. Who can forget the dialogues of Salim-Javed and the direction of Ramesh Sippy? Every character became a star, but the real hero was the coin. Few people know that I was offered the role of Gabbar and Thakur, but I insisted on playing Veeru—he’s so much like me. My favourite scenes were the tanki scene, the temple scene, and of course, the death of Jai—that one still stays with me.”

Director Ramesh Sippy called the restoration a cornerstone project of his family’s legacy:

“It has taken us three years, but we were able to find the original ending and some deleted scenes that the world will see for the first time at the grand premiere in Bologna. I’m proud that Sippy Films, in association with the Film Heritage Foundation, could carry out a world-class restoration.”

The project involved meticulous work using rare materials sourced from archives in Mumbai and London, with technical support from restoration experts in Italy and the British Film Institute. The film will be screened in its original 2.2:1 aspect ratio with digitally restored visuals and sound.

This screening at Il Cinema Ritrovato is not just a cinematic event—it’s a celebration of Indian film heritage on a global stage.