Sydney is set to witness a cinematic milestone this October as the Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS) announces the restored version of Sholay as its centrepiece film. The festival, which will run from 9–11 October, is being presented by the team behind the acclaimed Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).
The 1975 classic, often hailed as one of India’s greatest films, has undergone an extensive 4K restoration led by the Film Heritage Foundation in partnership with Sippy Films. The project, years in the making, involved tracing rare archival material- including a colour reversal print found in London- and recovering original negatives and long-lost sequences from a Mumbai warehouse.
What makes this restoration truly historic is the inclusion of director Ramesh Sippy’s original ending, in which Thakur finally kills Gabbar Singh, a conclusion that was altered in the version most audiences have known for decades.
After its world premiere earlier this month at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Sydney will now host the film’s Australian debut.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange called the screening a landmark event: “Sholay is not just a film, it is part of our cultural fabric. Restoring the original ending means honouring Ramesh Sippy’s true vision. As the film turns 50, we celebrate its enduring power and the courage of cinema to tell stories as they were meant to be told. We are thrilled that Sydney audiences will experience this cinematic gem in its purest form.”
Beyond Sholay, the festival will showcase over 15 films across different Indian languages and genres, along with filmmaker Q&As, retrospectives and industry panels. With this year’s line-up, IFFS continues its mission of bringing Indian cinema to international audiences, blending nostalgia with contemporary voices.
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