Kolkata fans relive Sholay memories as the film turns 50

It’s been half a century since Sholay galloped onto the big screen, redefining Hindi cinema. Ramesh Sippy’s magnum opus remains etched in the hearts of audiences for its unforgettable characters, evergreen songs, and dialogues that have outlived generations. In Kolkata, the love for the film is more than nostalgia — it’s an emotion, a keepsake, and in some cases, a lifelong obsession. We spoke to some die-hard Sholay fans from the city, and their stories are as colourful as the movie itself.

A special screening and a star encounter
Sholay started slow but quickly turned into a phenomenon. Its popularity was so immense that it
led to special screenings, including one in Kolkata where its star cast
was present. Ramesh Kumar Damani, an insurance professional & a determined fan, seized the opportunity to meet his idol. “I found out that Amitabh ji was staying at Oberoi Grand in
Kolkata. I went there and somehow reached the fourth floor Presidential suite-402. I met him & got a picture with him,” he said.

The ‘City of Jai’
For entrepreneur Anurag Chirimar, his love for Sholay is deeply intertwined with his admiration for Amitabh Bachchan. His collection of memorabilia includes a rare Sholay LP signed by Bachchan himself. He even personalised his car as a unique tribute to Big B. “I showed him my car, on which, as a tribute, we mentioned Kolkata as the ‘City of Jai’,” he said, highlighting the personal connection fans feel with both the film and its star.

Perfect mix of every mood
For communications professional Sreeraj Mitra, Sholay is the gold standard of Hindi cinema — a film that ticks every box. With its mix of drama, action, romance, and music, it’s a story he never tires of revisiting. “I have watched Sholay for more than 20 times. Its perfect blend of drama, action and romance has made it stand out as a cult favourite,” he said.

A movie for all moods
For Rajpal Sidhu, an IT professional from the city, Sholay is a movie he turns to for comfort and joy, regardless of his mood. “I’ve watched it 50 times at least. It is my go-to movie on a bad day or a good day,” he shared. He believes the film’s enduring appeal lies not just with the main characters, but with the entire ensemble. “What makes the movie what it is, is the fact that even the side characters played their parts very well,” he said.

I think the harmonica-lantern scene from Sholay featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri is one of the most romantic ones in the history of Indian cinema
– Sreeraj Mitra





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