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Sholay's Original Violent Climax Revealed After 50 Years
26 Nov
Summary
- Sholay's original ending, featuring Thakur killing Gabbar, will be shown.
- A restored 4K version will be screened in 1,500 theaters on December 12, 2025.
- The film's climax was altered due to censorship during India's Emergency period.
Ramesh Sippy's cinematic masterpiece, Sholay, is making a significant return to theaters on December 12, 2025, marking its 50th anniversary with a fully restored 4K version. This special re-release, titled Sholay - The Final Cut, will be screened in approximately 1,500 cinemas, offering audiences an unprecedented look at the film's original, unaltered ending.
The unvarnished climax features Sanjeev Kumar's character, Thakur, exacting a brutal revenge by killing Gabbar Singh with his bare hands. This powerful conclusion was modified before the film's 1975 release due to censorship pressures during India's Emergency. The original script's emotional core, Thakur's quest for vengeance, was reportedly sidelined to appease authorities.
This revelation comes as the film premiered its restored, uncut version earlier this year at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy. The upcoming re-release allows audiences nationwide to experience Sholay as originally envisioned by its creators, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, offering a piece of cinematic history long suppressed.
