Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay has finally reached Pakistan, 40 years after its initial release and is all set to wow the fans in cinemas … the same fans who have now grown old watching the cult flick. Released all over Pakistan in both 2D and 3D under the joint banner of Mandviwalla Entertainment and Geo Films, Sholay is ready to rule the box office in Pakistan, despite being one of the most popular films on home video in the country.
Karachi
Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay has finally reached Pakistan, 40 years after its initial release and is all set to wow the fans in cinemas … the same fans who have now grown old watching the cult flick. Released all over Pakistan in both 2D and 3D under the joint banner of Mandviwalla Entertainment and Geo Films, Sholay is ready to rule the box office in Pakistan, despite being one of the most popular films on home video in the country. That’s because not many have watched it on 3D, and here is where things get interesting!
Kitne Aadmi Thay …
The red carpet was dominated more by eager Sholay lovers than the big names of the local film fraternity. Veteran actor Behroze Sabzwari was there along with his family whereas director Saqib Malik, actor/model Adnan Malik and many others thronged the cinema to catch a glimpse of Sholay in all its 3D glory. Actor Alyy Khan who has worked in a handful of Bollywood films as well believes that watching Sholay in cinema is an experience one must go through. “People have been asking me about my favourite dialogue from Sholay and I just simply can’t point out one because there are so many!” the actor said while he was waiting to be ushered into the theatre. “The way Bachchan sahab delivered “tumhara Naam Kia Hai Basanti” still makes you laugh because of the way it was delivered.”
Keemat jo tum chaaho, kaam jo main chahooon
It was an expensive process through which the grandsons of producer G.P. Sippy
converted Sholay into 3D. The conversion was not actually not well-received by director Ramesh Sippy (their real life uncle) but who cares now that the film is in cinemas. People would have even loved to watch a digitally remastered version had they been given the chance in Pakistan, such has been the impact of the movie on this side of the border. What if Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bahaduri (now Bachchan) and Dharmendra couldn’t come over to Pakistan for the premiere; their younger selves were enough to keep us captivated on screen as Jai, Basanti, Radha and Veeru; right?
Jo darr gaya, samjho marr gaya
Those who missed the premiere might consider themselves lucky since a technical glitch before the climax did leave a bad taste for those who wanted to stay there till the end. But then, watching even a frame of Sholay on screen is a big thing for those who haven’t seen Helen dance before in a cinema; Jagdeep making you laugh on such a platform and Asrani portray the Angrezon Kay Zamanay Ka Jailor. As for the preparations to make Sholay stand out from other films, the distributors did a fantastic job by putting Sholay posters everywhere in the vicinity of Atrium Cinemas. You could get your photos
taken as Jai or as if you were in Raamgarh (where the action takes place) due to props placed for the very purpose. Bohat Yaarana Lagta Hai!
Loha garam hai, maar do hathora
Watching Gabbar Singh make his iconic entry as well as his countless reentries on the big screen that too in 3D is an experience of a lifetime. Before Hollywood movies like The Avengers: The Age of Ultron makes it to the screen on May 1st, Sholay is likely to have a successful run at the box office in Pakistan. Youngsters may not visit the theatre to watch it at first but they will catch on because of the impactful dialogues, the fight sequences that have inspired generations and above all, to watch Big B and Dharam Paa ji in action, in their hey days. It took the might of three good men to take down Gabbar Singh … it will take many films to take down Sholay this time!
Omair Alavi can be contacted at omair78@gmail.com
