Bollywood’s iconic classic Sholay is set to return to cinemas on December 12, 2025, in a newly restored 4K edition titled Sholay: The Final Cut. Marking the film’s 50th anniversary, this release presents audiences with the movie as director Ramesh Sippy originally envisioned it, including its long-unseen original climax.
The restoration, led by the Film Heritage Foundation in partnership with Sippy Films, brings Sholay to modern audiences in 4K resolution with Dolby 5.1 sound, offering a cinematic experience that highlights both the film’s technical brilliance and emotional depth.
The biggest highlight of this edition is the reinstated climax, which had been removed during India’s Emergency era for being too violent. In this ending, Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) kills the feared outlaw Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) using spiked shoes, dramatically altering the film’s resolution and providing a more intense conclusion. This original scene, unseen by the public for five decades, has sparked excitement among fans and film historians alike.
The re-release is set to reach nearly 1,500 screens across India, making it one of the widest theatrical releases for a restored Indian film. Sippy Films has encouraged audiences to experience the “original uncut version for the first time ever” in its fully restored visual and audio format.
Before the nationwide rollout, Sholay: The Final Cut was showcased internationally, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and later screening at the Indian Film Festival in Sydney.
These global screenings reinforced the film’s enduring cultural significance, demonstrating that even after fifty years, Sholay remains a landmark of Indian cinema.
This special 50-year celebration allows both longtime admirers and first-time viewers to experience Sholay in its purest form. With its original ending restored and visuals enhanced, Sholay: The Final Cut promises a powerful, immersive big-screen experience, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness one of Bollywood’s greatest films as it was always meant to be seen.
