Sholay Returns in 4K With Its Original Ending

One of Indian cinema’s most iconic films, Sholay, is set for a grand comeback with a fully restored 4K version titled “Sholay – The Final Cut.” The film will release across 1,500 theatres in India on December 12, 2025, marking its 50th anniversary and offering audiences the opportunity to experience the film in its originally intended form.

This re-release is especially significant because it restores the film’s original climax—an ending that was altered before the 1975 release due to censorship during the Emergency era. The restored cut includes a crucial sequence where Thakur, played by Sanjeev Kumar, kills Gabbar Singh, portrayed by Amjad Khan, using spiked shoes as an act of justice and vengeance. The Central Board of Film Certification had removed this scene, citing excessive violence, and the film was released with a modified ending.

Sippy Films announced the restoration and release, highlighting that the film has been revived in 4K and Dolby 5.1 sound by the Film Heritage Foundation. For the first time, viewers will witness director Ramesh Sippy’s complete vision—an ending that intensifies the film’s emotional arc and narrative impact.

The 50th anniversary celebrations of Sholay have been building throughout the year. Earlier in 2025, the film was showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it drew strong global attention and reaffirmed its legacy as a masterpiece of Indian cinema. The film’s iconic cast—Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, and Amjad Khan—continues to be admired for performances that shaped generations of Indian film lovers.

Nearly 50 years after its debut, Sholay remains a cultural landmark. Though newer films have surpassed its box office records, it still holds the distinction of being the most-watched Indian film of all time. With its restored print and original ending finally intact, Sholay – The Final Cut offers both nostalgia and renewed cinematic experience for audiences young and old.