Ramesh Sippy Credits Salim-Javed for Bringing Sholay’s Story to Life
It has been fifty years since the release of Ramesh Sippy’s iconic film, Sholay. Featuring Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Amjad Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini, Sholay continues to be cherished as one of the most loved films in the history of Hindi cinema. With the film celebrating its 50th anniversary, Ramesh Sippy recalls the making of Sholay and explains its special status amongst fans today.
Ramesh Sippy acknowledges the film’s writers, the renowned Salim-Javed duo. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, he shared, “Salim-Javed have had a very important part in my journey as a filmmaker, be it Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, or Shakti. So, writers are always dear to me. They breathe life into stories like Sholay.”
Their writing brought to life the unforgettable characters and powerful dialogues, from “Kitne aadmi the?” to “Basanti, in kutto ke samne mat naachna,” which continue to resonate with audiences. Initially, Sholay did not perform well at the box office. However, word of mouth spread quickly, and the film’s popularity increased. It became the highest-grossing film for over a decade. Even now, Sholay holds the record for the most tickets sold of any Indian film. Its appeal has remained strong across generations.
After Sholay’s success, many films attempted to emulate its style, including several parodies. Although, none could replicate the original’s magic. Discussing the secret behind the film’s success, Ramesh Sippy smiled and said, “If you find out, let me know too. It must be just enjoyed.” This shows that certain experiences are beyond explanation and are best understood through the feelings.
While Sholay is frequently shown on television and re-released, Ramesh Sippy acknowledges that he does not watch it often himself. However, he plans to watch it this year in celebration of the anniversary. He said, “I will watch it for the 50th anniversary.”
For this special event, a restored 4K version of Sholay will be screened at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival this September. While the date for the India premiere is yet to be announced, this restored version promises a chance for new audiences to experience Sholay with remarkable clarity.
Also Read: Exclusive! Ramesh Sippy speaks to Filmfare about his Sholay star Amitabh Bachchan
