EXCLUSIVE: Sholay goes through the censor process | Indian Movie News
One of the best movies of Indian cinema, Sholay (1975), is all set to re-release. However, this re-release stands out. Titled Sholay – The Final Cut, it options the unique climax of the movie along with two deleted scenes, which the viewers will get to see in all its glory on the big screen for the first time ever. Moreover, the movie has been restored in 4K with the unique 70 mm side ratio of 2.2:1. The sound has been restored utilizing the unique sound unfavourable, and the magnetic soundtrack preserved by Film Heritage Foundation. Hence, it guarantees a positive cinematic expertise.
Since the movie has added three new scenes, the makers had to go through the censor process. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) noticed Sholay – The Final Cut on November 24, 2025 and handed it with a ‘U’ certificates. Thankfully, no cuts have been enforced. The size of the movie, as talked about on the censor certificates, is 209.05 minutes. In other phrases, Sholay – The Final Cut is 3 hours 29 minutes and 5 seconds long. The unique 1975 model is said to be around 190 minutes, or 3 hours and 10 minutes long.
Interestingly, it was the then CBFC, and also the authorities of the day, that compelled director Ramesh Sippy to change the ending of the movie. The unique ending featured Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) killing the villain, Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan).
Bollywood Hungama solely spoke to director Ramesh Sippy in October about the modified ending. He said, “In 1975, it was the time of the Emergency. So, we couldn’t argue too much. But the end that I put in had to be shot (at the last minute). This changed climax was the same ending that took place in every film at that time. The police comes and says, ‘Ruk jaao’! So, it was a typical ending. That’s what I didn’t like; there was no other reason. However, the Censor officials stressed that ‘He’s an officer. He should not be taking the law into his own hands’. Actually, I can’t say hands as he didn’t have any (laughs)!”
Sadly, the re-censor process has led to fears among followers that the staff behind Sholay – The Final Cut have tampered with the movie’s dialogues. Last week, the followers of Sholay have been left offended when Sholay – The Final Cut’s trailer revealed that ‘James Bond’ was changed by ‘Tatya Tope’ in a essential dialogue. Bollywood Hungama was the first one to write about it. Even Javed Akhtar, who wrote the dialogues along with Salim Khan, protested this surprising change.
Exhibitors’ woes
Meanwhile, exhibitors are gearing up not just for a crowded December but also for unusually long movies in a short span. The first three weeks of December will see three movies with more than 3 hours run time arriving one after another. It began with last week’s Dhurandhar; the Ranveer Singh-starrer has a run time of 3 hours and 34 minutes. Sholay – The Final Cut, as aforementioned, is 3 hours and 29 minutes long. Next week’s highly-awaited Avatar: Fire And Ash, meanwhile, has a size of 3 hours and 17 minutes.
An exhibition source told Bollywood Hungama, “We have had 3 hours plus long films releasing once in a blue moon. But this is the first time it has happened to have 3 films back-to-back with such lengthy run times. We’ll manage this week and next as Sholay – The Final Cut is not taking a lot of screen space. But next week will be a challenge when we’ll have to accommodate Avatar: Fire And Ash and Dhurandhar. The latter has picked up and how, and it’s clear that it’s not going to stop for a few weeks.”
Also Read: Javed Akhtar fumes at the modified dialogue in Sholay – The Final Cut trailer, “No, you can’t tamper with this”
EXCLUSIVE: Sholay goes through the censor process | Watch Online Free
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