Certainly one of the best movies of Indian cinema, Sholay (1975), is all set to re-release in cinemas on Friday, December 12. Titled Sholay – The Final Cut, it guarantees to showcase the unique ending for the primary time ever in India. It also includes two deleted scenes and furthermore, the film will probably be released in 4K and Dolby 5.1 with the unique 70 mm aspect ratio of two.2:1. Sadly, the re-release hasn’t been handled well, resulting in fears that the cult classic might suffer.
EXCLUSIVE: Team of Sholay – The Final Cut lands in soup over 1,500-screen release claim; STRUGGLES to get 1,000 screens as a consequence of long length, HIGH rates & Dhurandhar wave
The primary sign of trouble arose when the screening of Sholay – The Final Cut’s was cancelled on the on the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. Though it was believed that the plan was dropped as a consequence of the death of Dharmendra, who stars within the film, a report by Hindustan Times carried a source of an anonymous IFFI official who confirmed that the screening was scrapped as a consequence of “technical glitches from the makers’ side”.
A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “On November 15, the team of Sholay – The Final Cut, that’s, restoration partner Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) and producers Sippy Movies, announced that the 1975 classic will probably be re-released on December 12. Interestingly, the FHF’s social media post made a claim that the film would release in 1500 screens in India. But this piece of knowledge was missing within the posts of Sippy Movies and Pen.”
A post, uploaded by Film Heritage Foundation last week, said, ‘That is the largest ever release of a restored film befitting the return of India’s most iconic film to the massive screen 50 years because it was first released’. It also hammered once more that it would have a release in 1500 screens. Finally, on December 2, a post by Sippy Movies, also confirmed that the 1500 release plan was on.
Only 10 days left to go!
‘Sholay: The Final Cut’ – In cinemas twelfth Dec 2025
Experience the unique uncut version for the primary time ever, restored in 4k and Dolby 5.1 by Film Heritage Foundation.
Releasing across 1,500 screens in India. Also releasing worldwide within the… pic.twitter.com/tfV7E51V0J
— Sippy Movies (@sippyfilms) December 2, 2025
The trade source continued, “The industry was shocked by this claim. In spite of everything, it’s unheard of a movie having such a large release in its repeat run. Earlier, Rakesh Roshan attempted the widest re-release with Karan Arjun (1995). It had released in 1110 screens and that was possible as there was no competition. As for Sholay – The Final Cut, it was scheduled to release every week after Dhurandhar and clash with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, backed by Disney-Star Studio18. Hence, we wonder what made them make such a claim?”
The source then said, “As expected, it’s struggling to get even 1000 screens. The team of Sholay – The Final Cut is lucky that they’ve a distributor in the shape of Pen Marudhar Entertainment. They’ve used their goodwill and extensive distribution network to get as many theatres as possible. But its next to inconceivable for the film to release in 1500 screens.”
An industry insider commented, “Dhurandhar has picked up big time and it’ll roar within the second week. That film is greater than 3.30 hours long and so is Sholay – The Final Cut. Because of this, cinemas will face capability issues. Normally, tickets of re-release movies are capped at Rs. 150. But Sholay – The Final Cut’s tickets will probably be available at normal rates, which again, isn’t a superb idea.”
He also said, “The timing is just unsuitable. There’s Avatar: Fire And Ash next Friday followed by multiple movies on Christmas. Was there really a have to bring Sholay – The Final Cut on this crowded month? Couldn’t they’ve are available November? Or moderately in the primary or second week of January 2026, when the competition is far lesser?”
The insider signed off by exulting, “Sholay is a cult classic, loved by every body. Does a legendary film require such ‘widest release ever’ marketing tactics? Nevertheless, we still hope Sholay – The Final Cut manages to seek out huge variety of audiences. Many have never seen it on the massive screen and in addition, with Dharam ji passing away lower than a month ago, the film is back within the news. We hope all these aspects contribute to its good run on the box office.”
#Sholay #SholayReRelease #SholayTheFinalCut
Video #1 From The Recent Trailer
Video #2 From The FilmJames Bond Gets Replaced by Tatya Tope.
Tatya Tope should have been dubbed with James Bond throughout the original film.
In Cinemas December 12Trailer Link: https://t.co/dFMNQUIopD pic.twitter.com/5vXx2CAhYg
— amit dadhich (@amit12354) December 5, 2025
Dialogue change results in unrest
Last week, the fans of Sholay were left indignant when Sholay – The Final Cut’s trailer revealed that ‘James Bond’ was replaced by ‘Tatya Tope’ in an important dialogue. Bollywood Hungama was the primary one to jot down about it.
Bollywood Hungama then spoke to Javed Akhtar and he, too, was stunned. He said, “What does this mean? And this is only one dialogue. They could have similarly modified other famous lines. The audience won’t accept this…Have they spoken to the director (Ramesh Sippy)? They’ve actually not spoken to me or to Salim saab (Khan). We’re the writers of those lines which might be recited even today by fans of Sholay.”
To conclude
Sholay – The Final Cut must have been within the news solely for restoring the unique ending and bringing back the classic in 4K and 70 mm, but as a substitute, it finds itself battling negative chatter – from the IFFI “technical” cancellation to the unrealistic 1500-screen claim and the controversial dialogue tweak. These self-inflicted blows were hardly needed for a movie that has commanded love for 50 years. Hopefully, the audience will look beyond the mismanagement, turn up in good numbers and make sure that this landmark re-release is remembered for packed houses and nostalgia, not only for mistakes.
Also Read: Javed Akhtar fumes on the modified dialogue in Sholay – The Final Cut trailer, “No, you’ll be able to’t tamper with this”
More Pages: Sholay Box Office Collection
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