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The legendary Bollywood epic “Sholay” will receive a fitting golden anniversary tribute when its fully restored, uncut version gets its world premiere at Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival on June 27.

The 1975 Ramesh Sippy-directed classic will unspool on the festival’s massive open-air screen in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore, marking the first time audiences will see the original ending and previously deleted scenes that were cut from the widely distributed theatrical version.

Written by the legendary duo Salim-Javed, “Sholay” masterfully blends action, thriller, revenge drama, comedy and tragedy, all underscored by R.D. Burman’s iconic musical score. The film drew inspiration from Western classics including Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in the West,” Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai,” and John Sturges’ “The Magnificent Seven.”

The story follows former police officer Thakur Baldev Singh, who enlists two small-time rogues — the charismatic Veeru and introspective Jai — to capture the notorious dacoit Gabbar Singh,...

In this special feature, Subhash K Jha remembers the exceptional actress Sridevi.

Seven years have passed since Sridevi’s left us suddenly. Not a day passes when we are not reminded of her ubiquitousness…That snatch of a song from Sadma, the cute quirky clipping from Judaai, that melodramatic confrontation scene with the late Smita Patil(they must be exchanging notes in heaven) in the long-forgotten Nazrana which Raveena’s dad Ravi Tandon directed….I know of no other actor in the world who could rise so much above the script. So high she touched the sky, and we gazed from down below, always awestruck by her arresting artistry.

How did she do it? The great Kamal Haasan once told me it was the art of mimicry. “She’s a fantastic observer. Whenever she is working with me, she keeps observing and absorbing, and then she uses the quirks and...

On the occasion of National Cinema Day, actress Raveena Tandon took a stroll down the memory lane and reminisced about her debut film, the 1991 action drama ‘Patthar Ke Phool’, saying she will be eternally grateful.

National Cinema Day is celebrated on October 13, and on this day, the movie theatres across the country offer discounted tickets and other special promotions.

‘Patthar Ke Phool’ is directed by Anant Balani, produced by Gp Sippy, and written by Salim Khan. It stars Salman Khan as a police officer opposite Raveena. The flick also stars Vinod Mehra, Reema Lagoo, Kiran Kumar, Manohar Singh, Goga Kapoor, Deep Dhillon, Pradeep Rawat, Dinesh Hingoo, Arun Bakshi and Iftekhar in pivotal roles.

Taking to photo-sharing application, Raveena shared throwback pictures of her poster of the film, glimpses from movie’s stills with Salman, and the photo of her getting an award.

She captioned the post as: “The journey…Pathar...

On the occasion of National Cinema Day, actress Raveena Tandon took a stroll down the memory lane and reminisced about her debut film, the 1991 action drama ‘Patthar Ke Phool’, saying she will be eternally grateful.

National Cinema Day is celebrated on October 13, and on this day, the movie theatres across the country offer discounted tickets and other special promotions.

‘Patthar Ke Phool’ is directed by Anant Balani, produced by Gp Sippy, and written by Salim Khan. It stars Salman Khan as a police officer opposite Raveena. The flick also stars Vinod Mehra, Reema Lagoo, Kiran Kumar, Manohar Singh, Goga Kapoor, Deep Dhillon, Pradeep Rawat, Dinesh Hingoo, Arun Bakshi and Iftekhar in pivotal roles.

Taking to photo-sharing application, Raveena shared throwback pictures of her poster of the film, glimpses from movie’s stills with Salman, and the photo of her getting an award.

She captioned the post as: “The journey…Pathar...

Following a turbulent year plagued by Covid-19 and an industry reckoning following the suicide of a high-profile actor, the Producers Guild of India (Pgi) is again stepping outside its remit to get the entertainment industry back on track.

The Pgi has begun disbursing relief funds to daily wage workers in India’s entertainment industry, who have been the hardest hit group in an industry devastated by Covid-19 since March 2020. Through this drive, funded by Pgi member Netflix, the guild is transferring funds directly into the bank accounts of thousands of active technicians affiliated to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, the umbrella association with which most film workers are affiliated.

Earlier this month, funded by members, the Pgi conducted a mass vaccination camp for industry workers in Mumbai.

These efforts aren’t part of the organization’s remit and aren’t enshrined in its charter, which is mainly to champion producers’ causes,...

In observance of India’s Independence Day on Aug. 15 we decided to put together an intro to Hindi films for those interested in dipping their toes in one of the largest film industries in the world. We limited it to Hindi films from Mumbai (except “Bombay”) as India produces nearly 2,000 films a year and has been in the biz since the early 20th century.

Anand

This 1971 drama about a cancer patient who takes up residence in his doctor’s home and changes the latter’s life is a three-hankie film filled with quotable lines by Gulzar. With only four songs, from composer Salil Chowdhury, and no dancing in this original story toplined by Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna was directed by top helmer Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Available on YouTube.

Bombay

Mani Ratnam adapted this love story of an interreligious couple, set against the backdrop of the 1993 Hindu-Muslim riots in Mumbai. With...

New Delhi, Jan 6: This year's new releases -- 3D version of 1975 epic movie "Sholay" and Arshad Warsi-starrer comedy "Mr Joe B. Carvalho" -- received a lukewarm response from the audience.

"The response to 'Sholay 3D' was alright. The occupancy was between 60 percent and 70 percent. There were people who turned up with their families and got nostalgic. They were happy to see it in 3D format," Gautam Dutta, COO, PVR Cinemas, told Ians.

Produced by Sascha Sippy, grandson of G.P. Sippy, who had financed the original, "Sholay 3D" hit 1,000 screens.

The new version has been made on a budget of about Rs.22 crore, which includes.

Mumbai, Jan 5: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is in awe of "Sholay 3D" and the stars associated with it.

The 3D version of the cult movie "Sholay" came out Friday.

Director Ramesh Sippy had pulled a casting coup for "Sholay", which starred the big names like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan.

Produced by G.P. Sippy, it became the biggest hit of 1975.

"'Sholay' - the dada of all movies. Go and see it, Amitji, Dharamji, Sanjeev Kumar, Hemaji, Amjad Khan, Jayaji, Aasraniji and Jagdeepji are superb," Salman, whose father Salim Khan co-scripted it with Javed.

New Delhi, Dec 30: The New Year will have two very different films hitting the box office. This Friday viewers will have a choice between the 3D version of 1975 action drama "Sholay" and Arshad Warsi starrer comedy film "Mr Joe B. Carvalho".

The 3D version of the Amitabh Bachchan-Dharmendra starrer "Sholay" has been a much awaited film as the original is still watched and loved. Produced by Sascha Sippy, grandson of G.P. Sippy who had financed the original, the new one promises to provide an entirely new viewing experience to the audience when it hits 1,000 screens.

While the original "Sholay" was reportedly made on a Rs.4 crore.

Mumbai, Dec 26: The much-awaited 3D version of epic film "Sholay", set to release Jan 3, has been made on a budget of approximately Rs.20 crore, which includes restoration and conversion, says producer Sascha Sippy.

Sascha is the grandson of late filmmaker G.P. Sippy, who had originally produced Amitabh Bachchan-Dharmendra starrer "Sholay", directed by his son Ramesh Sippy.

"It took two years to make 'Sholay' and three years to restore and convert it into 3D. As far as the budget is concerned, it is close to Rs.20 crore to Rs.22 crore, which also includes the marketing and publicity of the film besides restoration and.

New Delhi, Jan 25: Ramesh Sippy, the man behind cult film "Sholay", has been named for the Padma Shri award on the eve of 64th Republic Day.

Son of veteran film producer G.P. Sippy, the 66-year-old made his directorial debut with 1971 romantic-drama "Andaz", after working as assistant director for seven years. The film starring Shammi Kapoor and Hema Malini as the lead and Rajesh Khanna in the guest role, went on to become a super hit.

However, it was his 1975 film "Sholay" that catapulted him into the big league. The Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra starrer not only was a blockbuster, the golden jubliee film ran for more than.

Dev Anand, who passed away at 88 in London early Sunday, was perhaps the first Bollywood star who formally tried his luck in politics. He had a short but not sweet stint, but certainly started a trend of celebs entering the corridors of power.Way back in 1977, after the Emergency was imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi, Dev Anand decided to set things right and 'teach the politicians a lesson'. He plunged into politics by launching the National Party of India (Npi).His opposition to Indira Gandhi, her late son Sanjay Gandhi and other top Congress leaders of the time arose mainly out of his disdain for Emergency, which he vociferously mentioned in public and private, his favourite line being: 'Unko sabak sikhana hai', said a close family friend, who was also an office bearer of the Npi.This was despite the fact that Dev Anand enjoyed good relations with top leaders,...

It drew its inspiration from multiple Hollywood movies but went on to become the quintessential Indian film, perfectly balancing drama and tragedy, romance and violence, comedy and action. This Aug 15 it will be 35 years since 'Sholay' was released - three decades and more of Gabbar, Jai, Veeru and Basanti still striking a chord.Sometimes described as an Indian curry western, 'Sholay' is still a reference point for Indian cinema and impossible to pin down to any one genre. It was about the undying friendship between Jai and Veeru, the unspoken love of a young widow, the exuberant romance between a garrulous 'tonga walli' and a flamboyant thief, the immensely tragic life of an idealistic police officer and, of course, Gabbar Singh, the dacoit who struck terror.It worked at many levels, and still does for generations of film-goers who watch the 1975 multi-starrer for the ultimate movie-going experience.

Sascha Sippy, the grandson of legendary producer G.P. Sippy and the nephew of Ramesh Sippy who had directed Sholay, has sent a public notice to the producers of Jai Veeru. Sascha has accused Shyam Bajaj, the producer of Jai Veeru of copyright infringement of his grand father’s landmark film in Bollywood history.

We all know the character of Amitabh Bachchan in Sholay was called Jai while the name of Dharmendra’s character in the film was Veeru. Like Sholay, Jai Veeru is also a story about two friends but the similarity ends there. But we feel, to even allege that Jai Veeru is a remake of the super-blockbuster called Sholay or has anything remotely do with outstanding film would be a cinematic sin, but Sascha Sippy has threatened.