'Sholay: The Final Cut' restores original climax, James Bond line
What's the story
Sholay (1975) was re-released on Friday, as Sholay - The Final Cut, featuring its original climax plus three added scenes. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has passed the Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan starrer with a "U" certificate after reviewing it on November 24, reported Bollywood Hungama. Despite the addition of new scenes, no cuts were enforced during this process.
Film specifics
'Sholay - The Final Cut' runtime and technical details
Sholay - The Final Cut runs for 209 minutes and 5 seconds (3 hours, 29 minutes, and 5 seconds), making it longer than the original 1975 version, which was about 190 minutes (3 hours and 10 minutes). The film has been restored in 4K, retaining its original 70mm aspect ratio of 2.2:1. Its sound has been enhanced using the original sound negatives and magnetic soundtrack preserved by the Film Heritage Foundation, offering an improved cinematic experience.
Controversy
'Sholay - The Final Cut' dialogue change controversy
The re-release of Sholay has sparked concern among fans about potential changes to the film's iconic dialogues. When the trailer for Sholay - The Final Cut recently surfaced, viewers noticed the famous "James Bond" line had been replaced by "Tatya Tope," but the upcoming release promises to restore the original "James Bond" reference as intended.
Industry impact
Exhibitors brace for long films in December
Meanwhile, exhibitors are gearing up for a busy December, with three consecutive films over three weeks, each spanning more than three hours. The trend began with Dhurandhar (3 hours 34 minutes), followed by Sholay - The Final Cut (3 hours 29 minutes). Next week, Avatar: Fire and Ash will join the lineup, clocking in at 3 hours 17 minutes.