Amitabh Bachchan recalls global appeal of film Sholay

Actor Amitabh Bachchan recently shared details regarding the international reception of the 1975 Indian cinematic classic, ‘Sholay’. During an episode of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ Season 18, Bachchan noted that a restored version of the film held its world premiere in Bologna, Italy, on June 27, 2025, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Bachchan recounted that approximately 2,000 people gathered in a large open-air square in Bologna to watch the screening, which lasted from 11 PM until 3 AM. The restoration work was credited to Shivendra Singh of Film Heritage.

Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by Salim-Javed, ‘Sholay’ is considered one of the most influential films in Indian cinema history. The film features a cast including Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Hema Malini, and Jaya Bhaduri.