The makers of the iconic 1975 classic Sholay have officially announced that the newly restored 4K version, featuring director Ramesh Sippy’s originally intended ending, will hit theatres on December 12, 2025. This marks the first time Indian audiences will experience the film’s climax exactly as envisioned over five decades ago. The announcement arrives shortly after veteran actor Dharmendra, who starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the film, was discharged from the hospital following a recent health scare and is currently recuperating at home.
The meticulous restoration was undertaken by the Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Sippy Films. The team sourced a rare colour reversal print from London, tracked down the original camera negatives, and uncovered long-lost deleted scenes from a Mumbai warehouse. The result is a stunning 4K restoration that revives Sholay in its original 70mm glory.
Earlier this year, the restored film premiered globally at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and is slated for its Australian debut at the Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS) in October. Now, with the December release in India, the film is poised to reach a wide audience at home.
The Original Climax, Unveiled After Five Decades
A key highlight of this version is the reinstatement of the original ending, where Thakur kills the villain Gabbar Singh—a climax altered during the Emergency era due to censorship restrictions. Speaking with Bollywood Hungama last month, Ramesh Sippy recalled, “In 1975, during the Emergency, we couldn’t argue much. The ending I wanted had to be changed at the last minute.”
He described the altered climax as typical of the era, with the police simply intervening rather than the hero delivering justice himself—a change he never liked. With the restored original ending now restored, audiences will finally see Sholay in a form that honours its legendary scale, storytelling, and creative vision. Stay tuned for more only with us.
