Five decades after its release, ‘Sholay’ continues to echo across borders. This time, with a heartfelt salute from Iran. Just weeks before the film’s 50th anniversary, an Iranian newspaper devoted an entire page to celebrate the legendary 1975 Bollywood classic. The tribute shared by the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai, spotlighted the enduring popularity of ‘Sholay’ in Iranian culture. With its unforgettable ensemble featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bachchan and Amjad Khan – the film directed by Ramesh Sippy and penned by Salim-Javed, remains a cinematic touchstone. “On ‘Sholay’s’ 50th anniversary, Iran Newspaper dedicated a full-page tribute to the iconic film. With its unforgettable story of friendship, ‘Sholay’ became a cornerstone of cinematic memory in Iran; so much so that many Iranians still associate Bollywood with this epic. ‘Sholay’ turns 50 and Iran still remembers,” the post and the photo read.
