Restored ‘Sholay’ to Make Global Comeback with TIFF Gala Premiere
- Posted on August 31, 2025
- International News
- By Arijit Dutta
- 92 Views
A restored 4K version of Sholay will premiere at TIFF on September 6, featuring deleted scenes and the original ending. Marking both the film's and TIFF’s 50th anniversaries, the screening highlights the epic’s global legacy and was made possible through a three-year restoration by Sippy Films and the Film Heritage Foundation.
A newly restored version of the Indian cinematic classic Sholay will be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, marking a historic celebration of both the film's and the festival's 50th anniversaries. Originally released in 1975, the Ramesh Sippy-directed epic is widely regarded as one of Indian cinema's most iconic films. Now, after nearly three years of restoration work, the film returns in a digitally restored 4K format—complete with deleted scenes and its original ending that were absent from the theatrical release.
The four-hour version, including an intermission, will be showcased at TIFF’s grand venue, Roy Thomson Hall, reflecting the film’s legendary status. TIFF's director of programming, Robyn Citizen, emphasized the symbolic timing and the importance of showcasing a film of such magnitude in the festival's milestone year. The initiative was led by the Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Sippy Films Pvt Ltd.
Restoration was a painstaking process, involving recovery of visuals and audio elements from a Mumbai warehouse and the UK. Despite the loss of the original camera negatives and any surviving 70mm prints, the final version was meticulously restored at Italy’s L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory. Foundation director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur described the effort as a tribute to the film’s lasting legacy.
Also Read: Tourist Sparks Outrage After Pouring Beer Into Elephant’s Trunk at Kenyan Sanctuary
Although original cast members are unlikely to attend, the next generation—Abhishek Bachchan and Bobby Deol—will represent their iconic fathers, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, at the premiere. The screening promises to offer audiences a rare and fuller experience of the beloved classic, redefining how Sholay is remembered globally.
