Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 15: The evergreen blockbuster Sholay, a film that redefined Indian cinema, completes 50 glorious years on August 15. Released in 1975, Ramesh Sippy’s multi-starrer epic brought together friendship, rivalry, dacoits, romance, comedy, action, and unforgettable dialogues — a true ‘masala’ entertainer that went on to become a pop culture icon.
Written by the legendary duo Salim-Javed, Sholay starred Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and Amjad Khan in roles etched forever in Indian cinematic history. From Jai-Veeru’s unbreakable friendship to Basanti’s lively chatter, Thakur’s stoic resolve, and Gabbar Singh’s menacing “Kitne Aadmi The?”, every element of the film continues to resonate with audiences.
Surprisingly, the film had a shaky start. Released on August 15, 1975, Sholay clashed with devotional drama Jai Santoshi Maa. Made on a modest budget of Rs 30 lakh, Jai Santoshi Maa became a sleeper hit, opening to Rs 7 lakh on Day 1, while Sholay, mounted on Rs 2.5 crore, opened to Rs 8 lakh but initially failed to impress. However, strong word-of-mouth turned the tide from the second weekend, propelling Sholay into record-breaking territory.
By the end of its run, Sholay earned Rs 15 crore at the box office — a 500% profit — while Jai Santoshi Maa scored an even higher profit margin of 1,616%. Adjusted for inflation, Sholay’s earnings today would exceed Rs 3,000 crore, placing it among the highest-grossing films in Indian history.
The film sold a record 12.5 crore tickets — the most for any Indian film — and broke Mughal-e-Azam’s box office record. It remained India’s top-grossing movie until 1994’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!.
Sholay’s legacy includes 60 golden jubilees (50 weeks in a single theatre) and over 100 silver jubilees (25 weeks) across India, with a legendary five-year run at Mumbai’s Minerva Theatre. The restored 4K version will now make its way to the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, with a special screening on September 6, 2025, at Roy Thomson Hall.
Even five decades later, the magic of Sholay remains unshaken — proving that true classics only grow stronger with time.