Sholay wins Italy: 2,000 Italians watch restored classic till 3 am, says Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan recently recalled a moment that highlighted the enduring global appeal of his cult classic Sholay, revealing that around 2,000 Italians gathered in an open-air square in Bologna to watch the newly restored version of the film.

The 83-year-old actor spoke about the experience during a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, while interacting with Dr Ganesh Baraiya on the hot seat.

Amitabh Bachchan recalls Sholay's screening in Bologna


During the episode, Bachchan spoke about the restoration of Sholay and the overwhelming response the film received when it was screened in Italy. The restored version was taken to Bologna as part of celebrations marking the film's 50th anniversary.

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Recalling the experience, Bachchan said, "Haal hi mein, unhone jab 'Sholay' phirsey, uska nirdharan hua, acche print mai bangaye, to woh film heritage mein Shivendra Singh ji hain joh iska kaam kar rahein hain. Yeh le gaye isko Italy main, bhaisahab Bologna ek jagaah hai, sehar ka naam hain, waha ek bahut bada aangan hain. Jaise bade-bade sheharo main beech main shehar mein ek aangan hota hain na, waha par 2000 Italians, raat ke 11 baje se subha 3 baje tak 'Sholay' dekha."

(Bachchan recalled that after Sholay was restored, Shivendra Singh, who was involved in the restoration project, took the film to Italy. In Bologna, the restored classic was screened at a large open-air venue, where around 2,000 Italians gathered to watch the film from 11 pm to 3 am.)

More about Sholay

Released in 1975, Sholay was directed by Ramesh Sippy and produced by G.P. Sippy. The film was written by the celebrated screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar.

The story centres on retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh, played by Sanjeev Kumar, who hires two small-time criminals, Jai and Veeru, portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, to capture the feared dacoit Gabbar Singh, played by Amjad Khan.

The film also featured Hema Malini as the lively Basanti and Jaya Bhaduri as the quiet and dignified widow Radha. Its supporting cast included A.K. Hangal, Satyen Kappu, Mac Mohan, Sachin, Jagdeep, Asrani, Viju Khote, Keshto Mukherjee, Helen and Sachin Pilgaonkar.

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R.D. Burman composed the music for the film, with lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack went on to produce several enduring Hindi film songs, including 'Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge', 'Holi Ke Din', 'Koi Haseena Jab Rooth Jaati Hai', 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'.