Mumbai, Sep 24 (NationPress) The revamped version of “Sholay”, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, is slated for a presentation at The Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS) this October.

The festival, taking place from October 9 to 11, will honor Indian cinema over three dynamic days. The restored Sholay had its global debut earlier this month at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and will now be screened in Sydney.

Sholay has undergone an extensive restoration in 4K by the Film Heritage Foundation in partnership with Sippy Films. This meticulous effort spanned several years, involving the discovery of a rare color reversal print in London and the retrieval of original camera negatives and previously lost deleted scenes from a warehouse in Mumbai.

Notably, the restored film presents the original ending as envisioned by director Ramesh Sippy, where Thakur avenges his family by eliminating Gabbar Singh.

Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange expressed, “Showcasing the restored Sholay in Sydney is a significant moment for us. This isn’t merely a revival of a classic; it’s a revival of our shared cultural heritage.”

“The opportunity for audiences to witness the film with its original conclusion adds to its importance, honoring Ramesh Sippy’s initial vision. Presenting this landmark restoration at IFFS, alongside both timeless and contemporary narratives, truly captures our festival’s essence of celebrating Indian cinema in all its forms,” Lange elaborated.

Regarding Sholay, directed by Ramesh Sippy, the film narrates the story of two criminals, Veeru and Jai, who are hired by a retired police officer to apprehend the merciless dacoit Gabbar Singh.

Hema Malini and Jaya Bhaduri also star as the love interests of Veeru and Jai, Basanti and Radha, respectively. The film was shot in the rugged landscape of Ramanagara, Karnataka, over a duration of two and a half years, commencing in October 1973.

Upon its initial release, Sholay faced negative reviews and a lukewarm commercial reception; however, positive word-of-mouth led it to become a blockbuster. It set records for continuous screenings in numerous theaters across India and had a remarkable run of over five years at Mumbai's Minerva theatre.

The film also enjoyed success abroad, particularly in the Soviet Union. At the time, it was the highest-grossing Indian film ever and held the title of the highest-grossing film in India until Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! By various accounts, Sholay remains among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, when adjusted for inflation.

Often hailed as one of the greatest and most influential Indian films ever made, Sholay was also re-released in 3D format in January 2014.