Sholay Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan (right) and Dharmendra (left) as Jai and Veeru, respectively, in Sholay (1975; “Embers”), regarded as a landmark Bollywood film. (more) Sholay film by Sippy [1975] Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sholay-Indian-motion-picture Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Gitanjali Roy Gitanjali Roy is senior editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has over two decades of editorial experience across digital and broadcast media. Gitanjali Roy Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jan 27, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the main plot of Sholay? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The main plot follows Jai and Veeru, petty criminals hired by former police officer Thakur Baldev Singh to capture the dacoit Gabbar Singh, who terrorized Thakuru2019s village and family." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did Sholay perform upon its initial release? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Sholay initially had a slow start, but after the first weekend, it became a massive success, eventually becoming Bollywoodu2019s highest-grossing film for 19 years." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was revolutionary about Sholayu2019s depiction of villainy? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Sholayu2019s depiction of villainy was revolutionary, as the character Gabbar Singh, a rustic and brutal dacoit, contrasted with previous sophisticated villains in Hindi films." } } ] } Top Questions What is the main plot of Sholay? The main plot follows Jai and Veeru, petty criminals hired by former police officer Thakur Baldev Singh to capture the dacoit Gabbar Singh, who terrorized Thakur’s village and family.

　　How did Sholay perform upon its initial release? Sholay initially had a slow start, but after the first weekend, it became a massive success, eventually becoming Bollywood’s highest-grossing film for 19 years.

　　What was revolutionary about Sholay’s depiction of villainy? Sholay’s depiction of villainy was revolutionary, as the character Gabbar Singh, a rustic and brutal dacoit, contrasted with previous sophisticated villains in Hindi films.

　　SholayIndian actors Amitabh Bachchan (right) and Dharmendra (left) as Jai and Veeru, respectively, in Sholay (1975; “Embers”), regarded as a landmark Bollywood film.© 1975 NH Studioz/Sippy Films and Dinodia Photos/Alamy Sholay, landmark Indian film, released in 1975. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, written by the renowned duo of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, and starring an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Hema Malini, Sholay (“Embers”) held the record for highest-grossing Hindi movie for 19 years. It places stylistic flourishes imported from international cinema within the Bollywood framework of exaggerated plot devices and high emotional stakes. By turns atmospheric and ...(100 of 1282 words)

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