Retro Movie Review : SHOLAY

Year: 1975
Actors: Amjad Khan, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan, A.K.Hangal
Director: Ramesh Sippy
Story: Salim-Javed
Producer: G.P.Sippy
Music: R.D.Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Playback Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey and R.D.Burman 

When it was first released in 1975, Sholay set Indian movie screens afire. It was the once-in-a-decade mega hit that smashed all records.

The fast-paced film has a little something for everyone - gripping action, comedy, tragedy, romance and even some nice songs.

Former inspector Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) hires two criminals Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) to catch a notorious dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) to avenge an old enmity. Thakur tells them to surrender Gabbar to him, alive, for Rs. 20,000 reward. Jai and Veeru decide to stay there until they catch him.

During Holi, Gabbar and his goons attack Ramgarh. Jai and Veeru fight back but Thakur does not help them, although he has a gun within his reach. After the fight, Thakur explains how Gabbar had wiped out his family, and cut off both his arms after escaping from jail, which is why he could not use the gun.

After living in Ramgarh for couple of weeks, Veeru is attracted to Basanti (Hema Malini), a horse carriage driver, and Jai is drawn to Radha (Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan), the widowed daughter-in-law of Thakur. 

The main action sequence of the film starts when, dacoits kidnap Veeru and Basanti. 

Jai attacks the gang and manages to flee them both from the dacoits. 

Jai and Veeru fight back. With last bullet remaining, Jai decides to sacrifice himself by igniting the dynamite. Veeru finally catches Gabbar and hands him over to Thakur. The police then arrive and arrest Gabbar. After Jai's funeral Veeru leaves Ramgarh. 

The film's surprise was that the villain, Gabbar Singh, almost stole the show with his memorable dialogue, "Kitne aadmi the?" and "Tera kya hoga, Kaalia?"

Sanjeev Kumar shines as the angry ex-cop, Dharmendra and Amitabh excelled in their roles. Hema Malini as the horse carriage driver Basanti and Jaya Bhaduri as Radha, the widowed daughter-in-law of Thakur, are good in supporting roles.

Director Ramesh Sippy delivers a knockout punch with Sholay.

Much of the movie was shot in the hills of Ramanagar, near Bangalore. Perhaps, that's why the village in which the movie is set was called Ramgarh.

Sholay was also reportedly the first 70-mm movie in India.