Sholay’s 4K Re-Release Reveals a Legend’s Final Cut and Its Star-Studded Payroll

Hyderabad: Few films define a culture, but Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay (1975) is more than a movie—it’s a cornerstone of Indian cinema. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the iconic classic is poised for a triumphant return to the big screen. Titled Sholay: The Final Cut, this fully restored 4K version will offer audiences a chance to experience the epic with pristine visuals, enhanced sound, and, most tantalizingly, a piece of cinematic history that has been hidden for half a century.

The Grand Re-Release: A Golden Jubilee Event

Mark your calendars for December 12, 2025. As part of its golden jubilee celebrations, Sholay will storm nationwide across 1,500 screens. This isn’t just a re-run; it’s an event. The film recently received a thunderous reception at a special screening of the restored version at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), building immense anticipation for its domestic release. For a new generation, it’s a chance to witness a legend as it was meant to be seen, and for fans, it’s a nostalgic pilgrimage.

The Legendary Original Climax: Justice, Served Raw

The crown jewel of The Final Cut is the inclusion of the film’s original, never-before-seen climax. For decades, it existed only in whispers and film lore. Why was it cut?

In the familiar 1975 version, Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) has Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) at his mercy, his spiked footwear poised for vengeance. At the last moment, he is stopped by the police, and the law takes over. This ending, however, was a compromise.

The original vision was far more visceral and thematically potent. In it, Thakur completes his revenge, killing Gabbar with the very spikes that symbolize his personal tragedy—the murder of his family. The Censor Board of the era, operating during the Emergency, deemed this violent vigilante justice unacceptable and insisted on a ending where the legal system prevails. Now, 50 years later, audiences will finally witness Ramesh Sippy’s complete, uncompromised vision, restoring the powerful, tragic catharsis intended for Thakur’s character.

The Stars and Their Salaries: A Snapshot of 1970s Bollywood

The cast of Sholay became legends, but their paychecks reflected the industry’s hierarchy of the time. The film’s budget was a then-colossal ₹3 crore, and the salaries of its stars tell a fascinating story of star power and career trajectories in mid-70s Bollywood.

Here is the full list of what the main cast earned for their immortal roles:

Leading Cast Salaries:

• Dharmendra (Veeru): ₹1.5 Lakh – The highest-paid actor, a bonafide superstar at the peak of his career.

• Sanjeev Kumar (Thakur): ₹1.25 Lakh – The respected and celebrated character actor, commanding a fee befitting his immense talent and seniority.

• Amitabh Bachchan (Jai): ₹1 Lakh – The rising, fiery star on the cusp of becoming the “Angry Young Man” and the biggest name in Indian cinema.

• Hema Malini (Basanti): ₹75,000 – The “Dream Girl” and a leading lady at the height of her fame.

• Amjad Khan (Gabbar Singh): ₹50,000 – A relative newcomer who delivered what is arguably Indian cinema’s most iconic villain. His lower fee was a gamble that paid off incalculably.

• Jaya Bachchan (Radha): ₹35,000 – Already an established actress, her role was brief but pivotal, reflected in her salary.

Supporting Cast Salaries:

• Mac Mohan (Sambha): ₹12,000 – Immortalized by a single, iconic line.

• Viju Khote (Kaalia): ₹10,000 – The memorable, whining henchman.

• A.K. Hangal (Imam Saab): ₹8,000 – The veteran actor who brought gravitas to his small but significant role.

It’s a stark reminder that while Amjad Khan’s Gabbar Singh would go on to overshadow many in cultural impact, his paycheck was a fraction of the established stars. This re-release is not just a celebration of a film, but a chance to re-appreciate the ensemble that created magic, both in front of and behind the camera. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness Sholay as you never have before.

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