Amitabh Bachchan recalls overwhelming response to ‘Sholay’ at its restored screening in Italy: ‘Waha par 2000 Italians, watched ‘Sholay’ from 11 pm to 3 am’

Amitabh Bachchan recalls overwhelming response to ‘Sholay’ at its restored screening in Italy: ‘Waha par 2000 Italians, watched ‘Sholay’ from 11 pm to 3 am’

Amitabh Bachchan has shared a fascinating story about the global appeal of his cult classic ‘Sholay’, revealing that 2,000 Italians gathered in an open-air square in Bologna and watched the newly restored version of the film. The actor recalled the incident during a recent episode of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ Season 18. Here’s what he shared during the reality quiz show.

Amitabh Bachchan recalls ‘Sholay’s restored screening in Bologna

While hosting Dr Ganesh Baraiya on the hot seat, Amitabh Bachchan spoke about the restoration of his iconic 1975 film and the massive response it received in Italy. He explained that the restored print was screened at Bologna’s historic central square as part of celebrations marking ‘Sholay’s’ 50th anniversary.Sharing his amazement, the 83-year-old actor said, “Haal hi mein, when I started ‘Sholay’, it was set in print, that’s Shivendra Singh ji in that film heritage, because he is working on it. He took it to Italy main, for example, Bologna is a place, the name of the city is there, there is a very big courtyard. Like big cities, there is a beach in the main city. There is a courtyard, there 2000 Italians watched ‘Sholay’ from 11 o’clock in the night till 3 in the morning.”(Recently, when ‘Sholay’ was restored and a good-quality print was made, Shivendra Singh ji, who is working on its restoration, took the film to Italy. There is a city called Bologna, where there is a huge open-air venue, like the large grounds you find in the middle of big cities. Around 2,000 Italians watched Sholay there from 11 pm at night until 3 am.)

More about ‘Sholay’

‘Sholay’ was directed by Ramesh Sippyproduced by G.P. Sippy, and written by the legendary duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. The story follows retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar), who hires two small-time criminals, Jai and Veeru (Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra), to capture the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Hema Malini played the free-spirited Basanti, while Jaya Bhaduri portrayed the graceful widow Radha.The film also featured a memorable supporting cast including AK Hangal, Satyen Kappu, Mac Mohan, Sachin, Jagdeep, Asrani, Viju KhoteKeshto Mukherjee, Helen, and Sachin Pilgaonkar. RD Burman composed the music, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, giving Hindi cinema timeless songs like ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge’, ‘Holi Ke Din’, ‘Koi Haseena Jab Rooth Jaati Hai’, ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’, and ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’.