The 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), held from September 4 to 14, 2025, featured a gala screening of the 4K restored Sholay on September 6 at Roy Thomson Hall. Marking the film’s 50th anniversary, director Ramesh Sippy and actor Bobby Deol, representing his father Dharmendra, attended. The restored film included the original ending and deleted scenes.
Sholay follows outlaws Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan), hired by Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) to defeat bandit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Starring Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan, it became a cultural hit after its 1975 release, grossing over 25 crore footfalls globally.
The restored “Sholay” had a gala premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival with Director Ramesh Sippy, actor Bobby Deol, producer Shehzad Sippy and FHF Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur walking the red carpet lined with press and hordes of enthusiastic fans. pic.twitter.com/GQT11zcd2D
— Film Heritage Foundation (@FHF_Official) September 7, 2025
The 4K restoration, by Sippy Films and Film Heritage Foundation, used original materials and added six minutes of footage. “Because the anniversaries lined up, we’re honoured to share the organisation’s birthday with a film of this magnitude,” said TIFF’s Robyn Citizen.
Bobby, whose film Bandar also screened at TIFF, honored his father’s legacy. “It’s a proud and emotional moment for the Deol family as two milestones of Indian cinema come together on the global stage of TIFF,” he said. The event marked 48 years since his debut in Dharam Veer.
Fans praised the screening but urged a wider release in India. One commented, “I hope FHF partners with PVR-INOX/Cinepolis to have a countrywide release in India! Sholay is a masterpiece that ought to be seen by everyone in all its glory!” TIFF 2025 also showcased Indian films like Homebound, Monkey in a Cage, Bayaan, and Gandhi, reinforcing Sholay’s lasting impact.
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