Restored ‘Sholay’ with original ending set for re-release, reveals Javed Akhtar

Bhubaneswar, Dec 1: A restored version of the iconic Hindi classic Sholay, featuring its original ending, will soon hit theatres across India, announced eminent poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on Saturday.

Speaking at the 3rd SOA Literary Festival at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University—where he received the first SOA Sahitya Samman—Akhtar revealed that the film’s climax, originally conceived by director Ramesh Sippy, had been altered in 1975 following objections from the Censor Board.

Akhtar explained that the Board had opposed the idea of a former police officer, Thakur Baldev Singh (played by Sanjeev Kumar), killing the dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan), as it depicted a law-abiding officer taking the law into his own hands. As a result, audiences saw Gabbar being arrested instead. The restored version, marking the film’s 50th anniversary, will finally present the intended ending where Thakur kills Gabbar.

During an interactive session with actor-producer Vani Tripathy Tikoo, Akhtar discussed the evolution of Indian cinema, stating that films reflect societal conditions rather than shape them. He spoke about shifting themes across decades—from rebellion and the “angry young man” era to the disappearance of traditional villains like zamindars—and lamented the growing disconnect from literature and mother tongues.

Commenting on Artificial Intelligence, Akhtar said that while AI is advancing, it still cannot replicate creations like Breathless, his celebrated collaboration with singer Shankar Mahadevan. He also reminisced about crafting the iconic song Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga for 1942: A Love Story, recalling how its famous opening line came to him just hours before a crucial meeting.