Film Review- Sholay 3D

   

     

Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

Film: Sholay (3D)

Cast: Seriously, you don’t know?

Directed by: Ramesh Sippy

Duration: 3 hrs 20 mins

The greatest story ever told is back on the big screen, this time in 3D. Over the years, reams have been written, hours have been spend discussing and dissecting Sholay which is not just a film, it is a part of our pop culture. The characters have become a part of folk lore and the dialogues are still so popular that you can virtually have a communication with someone using only the immortal lines penned by Salim-Javed.

The question to ask anyone is not if you have seen Sholay but how many times?

For those who have missed out watching it on the big screen, here is an opportunity of a life time. And the good news is that the 3D version is pretty neatly done, it may not add a great deal of value but it doesn’t take away anything either. Besides, there is nothing on earth can add any more value to Sholay.

This 3D release is the same as the original censored version with the ending that we all know of. Most film lovers are aware that Sholay was originally shot in 35mm and then blown to 70mm for theatres that were compatible for that format and there weren’t too many in those days. This version also fits the screen (like 70mm) and hence everything appears ‘closer’ in tight frames.

The background score has also been reworked with modern technology although I would have been perfectly happy to hear it in the original format. Some of the sound effects have been enhanced take for instance Gabbar Singh’s entry scene, the sound of his boots is almost scary.

Has the film dated over the years? Not at all. Maybe a couple of scenes like Jaya Bhaduri’s flashback for instance could be trimmed but otherwise the whole 204 minutes of it is still a treasured gem. Right from the opening bars of R.D Burman’s memorable theme music to the end, this is one heck of trip. The fight sequence on the train is still one of the best ever and even with all the CGI, none of the contemporary films can match that.

Basanti in kutto ke samne mat nachna, tere kya hoga kaliya, tumhara naam kya hain basanti, Loha hi lohe ko kat ta hain, yeh haat mujhe de de thakur, Bahut yaraana lagta hai, Kitne aadmi they?, Hum angrezon ke zamaane ke jailor hain, Arre O Saambha,  Itna Sannata kyo hai bhai? There is perhaps no other film in the universe which has lines that are so popular like the ones mentioned above.

So ahead, make you day. Again.   

Published in The Navhind Times on 5th Jan 2014

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