Ode to enduring legacy of iconic Hindi film Sholay

Last week, the iconic Hindi film Sholay (embers or flames in English) completed 50 years since its release in 1975. The film was re-released in India to mark the landmark event which led to renewed interest among younger audiences. The Indian Cultural Association in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Control Centre in Colombo also organised a special screening of the film in Colombo to mark the event.

Sholay is to Bollywood cinema what Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is to Hollywood but with all the masala of a Hindi film that makes for a roller-coaster of emotions and entertainment. It’s a story of revenge and love, comedy and tragedy, saucy and sweet – the perfect recipe for a blockbuster.

Released on 15 August 1975, initially Sholay received a lukewarm response, but later audiences warmed up to the film and it ran uninterrupted for five years. Sholay remains one of the most frequently quoted and watched Indian films ever till today. The legendary script writing duo Salim-Javed penned the memorable lines which most Indians can quote off the cuff even today.

Its director Ramesh Sippy and its lead pair Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra as well as the two leading ladies Jaya Bachchan and Hema Malini remain the focus of much adulation today as in their heydays. The most unforgettable character in the movie is Amjad Khan who played the dacoit Gabbar Singh and though he passed away some years ago, he is remembered for this role more than any other he played while his antagonist played by Sanjeev Kumar too remains an unparalleled character in Hindi cinema. Even the actors who shared a few minutes of screen time are remembered for their acting and witty dialogues.

The numerous events held to commemorate Sholay at 50 saw a resurgence of interest in the movie, which remains the most iconic of Hindi films made and a hot favourite of billions. Its toe tapping music also remains popular with its opening song ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge’ (we will not break our friendship) remains an ode to the selfless bonds of friendship.

Bollywood cinema has come a long way from the days of Sholay and with advanced technology that allows audiences to be treated to more captivating experiences in the widescreen but for a film like Sholay, all the advanced technology has not made its popularity wane among the cinema loving audiences.

The charm of old cinema remains strong, not only in India but also Hollywood as well as Sinhala cinema where people remember some of the old films and talk fondly of them even today while new films rarely leave that kind of lasting impression. There is no parallel in Sinhala cinema to ‘Parasathu Mal’, ‘Nidanaya’ or ‘Ganga Aaddara’ till today. If such films are re-released, there will be many rushing to watch them. It’s the same of many Hollywood films as well. Be it ‘Sound of Music’ or ‘Gone with the Wind’, the fascination with these movies continues.

What is happening is that technology has taken away from the art of acting with special effects replacing what humans had to act out in the old days. This is not to say that new actors lack talent, there are many, but in a world where larger than life creatures are created with modern technology, actors have lost the domination they had on the wide screens.

What we have now are actors and not many stars that would light up the screens with their charisma, beauty, laughter and romance. What we have more of are cosmetic characters that rarely leave a lasting impact on the audiences.

So, while paying tribute to the men and women who brought Sholay to life, it’s worth saying “They really don’t make them like them like they used to anymore.”