EXCLUSIVE: Ramesh Sippy’s hilarious take on Sholay’s forced ending change during Emergency: “Censors said ‘Thakur shouldn’t take law into his hands’ but he had no hands!”; BREAKS silence on Hema Malini’s DISAPPROVAL of Sholay’s changed climax

By Fenil Seta -

October 15, 2025 - 2:41 PM IST

Sholay (1975) completed 50 years earlier this year, leading to a celebration among moviegoers. This is also the year when the restored print of the classic got screened in various prominent film festivals across the world, including the Toronto International Film Festival, which, incidentally, also celebrated its 50th year. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, its director, Ramesh Sippy, opened up about lesser-known trivia about his much-loved and hailed flick. He also displayed his witty sense of humour while answering our queries.

EXCLUSIVE: Ramesh Sippy’s hilarious take on Sholay’s forced ending change during Emergency: “Censors said ‘Thakur shouldn’t take law into his hands’ but he had no hands!”; BREAKS silence on Hema Malini’s DISAPPROVAL of Sholay’s changed climax

Recently, you attended the 70th Filmfare Awards, where Sholay was honoured for completing 50 years. During the 50th edition of Filmfare, Sholay was given the award of Best Film in 50 years. But when your film was released, it won the award in the Best Editing category only. Hence, when Sholay was hailed as the Best Film in 50 years and the same film was sidelined then, how was the feeling?
Well, that’s how it goes (smiles). It’s nothing against me; it’s against them. I don’t like to embarrass people. But by not giving us an award, they realized after 50 years that it wasn’t right.

Sholay ran for 5 long years at Minerva and was replaced by your own film (Shaan; 1980). How was the last day at Minerva for Sholay?
It ran full house, even on the last day. 99% of the seats were filled. That’s history. Out of 50 years, the film ran in Minerva for 5 years (smiles).

You recently have screened Sholay at various places in the world. How has the response been?
I saw the film in Toronto about a month ago. The audience reaction was unbelievable. It was like the film had just been released in Mumbai. They reacted the same way as the audience reacted in Mumbai then! I assumed that the audience would be slightly upper-class. But no, they were like clapping, whistling and repeating the lines.

Did the audience comprise viewers of Indian origins or locals?
A lot of them were Indians, as Canada has a lot of Indian population. So, obviously, those who were not acquainted with Indian cinema cannot react like them. A few of them who watch some Indian films may react, but not all of them. Nevertheless, it was a heartwarming feeling.

Many also got a chance to see the new ending of Sholay at these screenings. Hema Malini is not happy with this development…
(Smiles) Really? Did she say that?

Yes. She said ‘It should remain untouched’. I guess she means that it has got registered in the minds of people so deeply…
That’s true. For 50 years, this is the version that people are familiar with. Also, in 1975, it was the time of the Emergency. So, we couldn’t argue too much. But the end that I put in had to be shot (at the last minute). This changed climax was the same ending that took place in every film at that time. The police comes and says, ‘Ruk jaao’! So, it was a typical ending. That’s what I didn’t like; there was no other reason. However, the Censor officials stressed that ‘He’s an officer. He should not be taking the law into his hands’. Actually, I can’t say hands as he didn’t have any (laughs)!”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Ramesh Sippy CONFIRMS, “Sholay to re-release mostly in November”; reveals why he was UNHAPPY with the film’s 3D version: “The soundtrack was changed and I DIDN’T like that”