Bollywood / 'Sholay' Returns with Hidden Ending as Touching Tribute To Legendary Dharmendra
·3 months ago·4 min read
Key Points
- Sholay returns to 1,500 theatres with its original, unseen climax restored in 4K and Dolby 5.1.
- The re-release comes shortly after Dharmendra’s passing, offering fans a nostalgic tribute to his iconic role as 'Veeru'.
- The restored version includes the original ending where Thakur kills Gabbar, along with two additional deleted scenes.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 12: Half a century after it changed Indian cinema forever, Sholay is returning to the big screen on Friday with something fans have never seen -- its original ending. The restored version will play in nearly 1,500 theatres, giving audiences a chance to revisit a film they grew up quoting, re-watching and celebrating.
The release comes at an emotional time. Just days earlier, the nation mourned the passing of Dharmendra, who died in Mumbai on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. His return as Veeru on the silver screen now feels like a gentle tribute.
Remembering The Great 'Veeru'
Dharmendra often said he was “a simple man,” yet his warmth and screen presence made him one of Indian cinema’s most loved actors. Best known as 'Veeru', the cheerful, big-hearted rogue of Sholay, he worked in more than 300 films and charmed generations with his honesty and humour.
In one of his last conversations with Film Heritage Foundation Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, he spoke about his favourite scene from Sholay -- the moment Amitabh Bachchan’s character dies. He said the scene was not difficult for him because he completely became the character:
“I left the real Dharmendra behind. Ye bhagwan ki den hai.”
'Sholay' Returns With Its Original Climax
The restored edition of Sholay offers viewers a chance to see the film the way the writers first imagined it. In this version, Thakur kills Gabbar Singh using his spiked shoes -- an ending never shown in theatres. Two more deleted scenes have also been restored.
The new cut is presented in 4K and Dolby 5.1, allowing younger viewers to experience the film the way earlier generations felt it in cinemas.
It is almost surprising today that Sholay, which eventually became India’s biggest blockbuster, originally faced stiff competition from the devotional hit 'Jai Santoshi Maa' in 1975. For years, fans wondered whether the film’s reception might have been different if Gabbar had died in the first version. The re-release may finally offer some answers.
Why Sholay's Ending Was Changed
Director and actor Farhan Akhtar, son of the film's writer Javed Akhtar, recently shared details of the original script.
“In the first climax, Thakur was meant to kill Gabbar with his bare feet. That was the emotional centre of the story,” he said. Thakur’s pain, after losing his family and even his arms, was meant to lead to this moment of justice.
He explained that political conditions during the Emergency led to the ending being changed. “That’s actually when he cries -- after crushing Gabbar with his own feet,” Farhan added.
A Son’s Excitement
For Abhishek Bachchan, the re-release is a moment he has waited for all his life.
Also Read: Rehman Dakait Entry Song That Broke the Internet: Meet the Rapper Behind 'FA9LA' Killer Vibe!
The Dream Film
Sholay, released in 1975 under the Sippy Films banner and directed by Ramesh Sippy, starred Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan in career-defining roles. Written by Salim–Javed, the action-drama became one of Indian cinema’s biggest cultural landmarks. Made on a budget of about Rs 2.5–3 crore, it earned nearly Rs 15 crore in its original run—an extraordinary return for its time. Adjusted for inflation, its lifetime box-office earnings place it among the highest-grossing Indian films ever made.
The release comes at an emotional time. Just days earlier, the nation mourned the passing of Dharmendra, who died in Mumbai on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. His return as Veeru on the silver screen now feels like a gentle tribute.
Remembering The Great 'Veeru'
Dharmendra often said he was “a simple man,” yet his warmth and screen presence made him one of Indian cinema’s most loved actors. Best known as 'Veeru', the cheerful, big-hearted rogue of Sholay, he worked in more than 300 films and charmed generations with his honesty and humour.
In one of his last conversations with Film Heritage Foundation Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, he spoke about his favourite scene from Sholay -- the moment Amitabh Bachchan’s character dies. He said the scene was not difficult for him because he completely became the character:
“I left the real Dharmendra behind. Ye bhagwan ki den hai.”
'Sholay' Returns With Its Original Climax
The restored edition of Sholay offers viewers a chance to see the film the way the writers first imagined it. In this version, Thakur kills Gabbar Singh using his spiked shoes -- an ending never shown in theatres. Two more deleted scenes have also been restored.
The new cut is presented in 4K and Dolby 5.1, allowing younger viewers to experience the film the way earlier generations felt it in cinemas.
It is almost surprising today that Sholay, which eventually became India’s biggest blockbuster, originally faced stiff competition from the devotional hit 'Jai Santoshi Maa' in 1975. For years, fans wondered whether the film’s reception might have been different if Gabbar had died in the first version. The re-release may finally offer some answers.
Why Sholay's Ending Was Changed
Director and actor Farhan Akhtar, son of the film's writer Javed Akhtar, recently shared details of the original script.
“In the first climax, Thakur was meant to kill Gabbar with his bare feet. That was the emotional centre of the story,” he said. Thakur’s pain, after losing his family and even his arms, was meant to lead to this moment of justice.
He explained that political conditions during the Emergency led to the ending being changed. “That’s actually when he cries -- after crushing Gabbar with his own feet,” Farhan added.
A Son’s Excitement
For Abhishek Bachchan, the re-release is a moment he has waited for all his life.
“The greatest story never told!” he wrote on X. “I have NEVER seen Sholay on the big screen… It’s been a lifelong dream.”The greatest story never told!
— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) December 11, 2025
Can't wait to witness #Sholay in all its glory on the big screen.
I have NEVER seen Sholay on the big screen only on TV and VHS/ DVD. It's been a life long dream. pic.twitter.com/iSibbJR3w8
Also Read: Rehman Dakait Entry Song That Broke the Internet: Meet the Rapper Behind 'FA9LA' Killer Vibe!
The Dream Film
Sholay, released in 1975 under the Sippy Films banner and directed by Ramesh Sippy, starred Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan in career-defining roles. Written by Salim–Javed, the action-drama became one of Indian cinema’s biggest cultural landmarks. Made on a budget of about Rs 2.5–3 crore, it earned nearly Rs 15 crore in its original run—an extraordinary return for its time. Adjusted for inflation, its lifetime box-office earnings place it among the highest-grossing Indian films ever made.
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