Amitabh Bachchan celebrates 80th Independence Day, waves tricolour
Synopsis
Amitabh Bachchan's Independence Day tribute was brief — a tricolour and three words. But the bigger story is Sholay: 50 years on, 2,000 Italians stayed up until 3 am in Bologna to watch a restored print. Few Indian films have ever crossed that cultural distance.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan shared a tricolour video on Instagram on 15 August 2025 , marking India's 80th Independence Day .
The actor said: 'Diwas swatantra ka, shubh din badhaayi ka.
Vande Mataram.' A restored version of Sholay was screened in Bologna, Italy , drawing 2,000 viewers who watched from 11 PM to 3:00 am .
The restored print had its world premiere in Bologna on 27 June 2025 , marking Sholay's 50th anniversary .
Sholay reportedly opened to near-empty theatres before word of mouth turned it into one of Hindi cinema's greatest cult classics.
Amitabh Bachchan marked India's 80th Independence Day on Saturday, 15 August 2025 with a heartfelt tribute, sharing a video of himself holding the Indian tricolour on his Instagram handle. The veteran Bollywood actor accompanied the clip with the words: 'Diwas swatantra ka, shubh din badhaayi ka. Vande Mataram.'
A Nation at 80
India's 80th Independence Day marks eight decades since the country gained freedom from British rule in 1947. The milestone is a moment to honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters and reflect on the nation's transformation — from building democratic institutions and expanding education to emerging as a major global economy with a growing footprint in science, technology, and defence.
Big B and the Global Legacy of Sholay
Beyond the Independence Day celebration, Bachchan recently revisited the extraordinary global reach of his landmark film Sholay (1975). Speaking on a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, he recounted how as many as 2,000 Italians gathered at an open-air square in Bologna, Italy, and watched a restored version of the film from 11 PM until 3:00 am — an episode that underscored the film's enduring cross-cultural appeal.
The restored print had its world premiere in Bologna on 27 June 2025, as part of celebrations marking Sholay's 50th anniversary. The screening took place at the city's historic central square.
The Making of a Cult Classic
Sholay featured a celebrated ensemble: Sanjeev Kumar as retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra as small-time criminals Jai and Veeru, and Amjad Khan as the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh. Hema Malini played the spirited Basanti, while Jaya Bhaduri portrayed the soft-spoken widow Radha. The supporting cast included A.K. Hangal, Satyen Kappu, Mac Mohan, Jagdeep, Asrani, Viju Khote, Keshto Mukherjee, Helen, and Sachin Pilgaonkar, among others.
Music was composed by R.D. Burman, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack produced some of Hindi cinema's most enduring songs, including Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge, Holi Ke Din, Mehbooba Mehbooba, and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. The film was shot extensively against the rocky landscapes of Ramanagara, Karnataka.
From Near-Flop to Eternal Cult Status
Reportedly, Sholay opened to near-empty theatres and was on the brink of being declared a commercial failure. Word of mouth, however, turned its fortunes dramatically — the film went on to become a blockbuster and one of the longest-running films in Indian theatrical history, eventually achieving an unassailable cult status in Hindi cinema.
As India steps into its 81st year of independence, Bachchan's tribute — and the global resonance of his most iconic work — serve as a reminder of how Indian culture continues to travel far beyond its borders.
Point of View
000 Italians to an open-air square until 3 am is not nostalgia; it is evidence of soft power that Indian cinema rarely quantifies. The restored-print circuit — Bologna, and presumably beyond — deserves more attention than it gets in domestic coverage, which tends to celebrate box-office numbers over cultural reach.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Amitabh Bachchan celebrate the 80th Independence Day?
Amitabh Bachchan celebrated India's 80th Independence Day on 15 August 2025 by sharing a video of himself holding the Indian tricolour on his Instagram handle. He accompanied the post with the words 'Diwas swatantra ka, shubh din badhaayi ka. Vande Mataram.'
What happened at the Sholay screening in Bologna, Italy?
A restored version of Sholay was screened at a historic open-air square in Bologna, Italy, drawing approximately 2,000 viewers who watched the film from 11 PM until 3:00 am. The world premiere of the restored print took place in Bologna on 27 June 2025, as part of the film's 50th anniversary celebrations.
What is the significance of Sholay's 50th anniversary?
Sholay, released in 1975, turned 50 in 2025 — marking half a century since one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated films first appeared in theatres. The anniversary was marked by a restored print that premiered internationally in Bologna, Italy, underlining the film's enduring global appeal.
Who were the key cast and crew of Sholay?
Sholay starred Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra as Jai and Veeru, Sanjeev Kumar as Thakur Baldev Singh, Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh, Hema Malini as Basanti, and Jaya Bhaduri as Radha. Music was composed by R.D. Burman with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.
Was Sholay a hit when it first released?
Reportedly, Sholay opened to near-empty theatres and was close to being declared a flop. It was word of mouth that reversed its fortunes, transforming it into a blockbuster and one of the longest-running films in Indian theatrical history, eventually achieving cult status.
