Weighted from a 9.1 average · Why?
A timeless classic that earns its second big-screen life, weak 3D aside.
Verdict tier Exceptional, critics broadly rave, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Sholay 3D is overwhelmingly positive, with most reviewers treating the re-release as an opportunity to celebrate the original 1975 film rather than evaluate the 3D conversion on its own merits. Critics most commonly praised the chance to experience the film on the big screen, highlighting its performances, dialogue, songs, and enduring cinematic craftsmanship. The 3D conversion itself drew the most consistent criticism, with several reviewers noting it is ineffective or gimmicky, and one prominent critic explicitly advising against the format; the film's considerable running length was also flagged as a challenge for contemporary audiences.
7 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
The Monk Score is weighted from a plain average of 9.1 · how scores work
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 16 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
'Sholay', re-released in a 3D version, needs to be your go-to movie this weekend, no ifs, no buts. And that's because, `Bharat desh ke vaasiyon', 'Sholay' is the greatest Hindi 'masala' entertainer ever made, 3D, 2D or no D.
Top critic
Film review ·
Who dareth review Sholay? Sholay, that one Hindi film each and every one of us looks up to. Sholay, the film that casts a shadow that envelops filmmakers, academics, fans and leaves them awestruck. Sholay, the film we love and revere in equal measure. The Sholay which belongs to us and the Sholay we belong to. What would be truly, truly grand would be a 70mm re-release celebrating this cinematic giant. Watch Sholay for a taste of how good the Indian entertainer can truly be, and revel in the magic you already know. But don't 3D it.
Top critic
Film review ·
The effect of 3D is felt only occasionally, but this is a restored print that should do the rounds in 2D format as well. Sholay was a landmark Hindi film, and a repeat run can only help today's moviegoers appreciate the sheer scale of the ambition and achievement that it represented. Sholay was an event when it hit the screens way back in the mid 1970s. Its reappearance in a new format may not create quite the same ripples, but Sholay, 3D or not, is definitely worth a revisit.
Top critic
Film review ·
Sholay on the big screen is an exhilarating 3 hour 24 minute-movie event, with or without 3D glasses. It is wildly entertaining, unforgettable cinema, and I'm willing to bet that it'll probably be the best film you'll see in the theatres this year. Don't miss it.
Film review ·
... there are films and there is SHOLAY. Frankly, it would be sacrilegious to miss this classic. Watch it. Now.
Film review ·
For its story, for its dialogues, for its picturization, for its songs, for the acting; the film shall always remain a cult classic; an epic we venerate, be it in any form or in any era. A film like this can never be rated for it is the film that made the stars what they became.
Film review ·
When Sholay first hit the screens in 1975, it was pegged as the greatest story ever told and the greatest star cast ever assembled. 39 years later, nothing has changed. A film, that's quite easily the most influential movie-going experience of our times, does not need a review.
Film review ·
One of the biggest reasons to re-visit this classic again is that many of you may have not seen this film on the big screen. That's the way a film like Sholay should actually be viewed. With topnotch performances, extremely well-constructed scenes and superlative directorial effort, revisiting this gem of a movie would be a perfect and the best way to begin your cinematic journey of 2014.
Film review ·
It's exhilarating to get the opportunity to watch Sholay on the big screen. I was jittery about the 3D, but thankfully it doesn't take anything away from the movie. The shots where things are flung in your direction are gimmicky, but the 3D is at its best when it's invisible, giving you the added depth and bringing the story alive.
Film review ·
For people who have not seen the movie before, they might just end up missing the movie's essence, and for people who have seen the movie before, they might end up not liking the new feel to their good old Sholay. So go on BollywoodLifers, watch the movie and choose your pick- the classic Sholay or Sholay 3D…
Film review ·
go see Sholay only because it's an opportunity to see it again on the big screen, to see a young Amitabh and Dharmendra, and to introduce your kids to it. They might complain it's a bit long, but the gimmick of 3D should help convince them to come along.
Film review ·
Their endeavour of pouring an old wine in a new bottle really deserves kudos. Though the content of the film is the same, the newness in its presentation makes it a good watch.
Film review ·
The characters are electric; the dialogue still packs a punch; and the songs are crackling. In 3D, the occasional projectile makes you involuntarily whoop and jump in your seat. However, Sholay's running length, 3 hours and 18 minutes, is challenging in the 2010s.
Film review ·
While generally when epic and legendary movies are tampered with, they end up getting mauled and unrecognisable, Sholay in 3D format surprisingly works in its favour.
Film review ·
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.
Film review ·
...what makes Sholay truly special is that it gets better with every viewing. Many teens may have not watched the film at all but to most Indians, Sholay is a film that seems to grow in its appeal. The joy of watching the epic film on the big screen, then, is not so much in rediscovering it than in reliving the awesomeness all over again, till you are ready for another encore. And for that reason, the film's re-release is a major cause for celebration.
From our readers
20 ratings · user score 7.9
As said by a critic; 3D, 2D or no D, Sholay is still D for Delicious. It's an ageless entertainer made from all bollywoodish ingredients; Songs, dance, melodrama, dialogs etc. But make no mistake, there is undeniably excellent storytelling, well developed characters, an engaging emotional script with ample scope of ruthless action, sincere performances by all lead actors, first rate background score and technically apt direction. For nitpicking, you can say that more than 3 hours is too long and few scenes could have been edited but the charm of this movie is too magnetic that even after 38 years, it is able to fill half of the seats of the theater on its re-release. I may not agree that this is the greatest story ever told but yes it is the finest commercial effort till date by Bollywood. For those who have doubts, Sholay in new 3D format with digitally enhanced sound and picture quality is worth every single penny of your expensive ticket. What a way to start 2014 in theaters!!
Credits
Amjad KhanGabbar Singh
Sanjeev KumarThakur Baldev Singh
Jaya BachchanRadha
Hema MaliniBasanti
Amitabh BachchanJai (Jai Dev)
DharmendraVeeru
Viju Khote
Mac MohanSambha
SachinAhmed
Jalal Agha
A. K. Hangal
Leela MishraMausi
Satyen KappuRamlaal
Keshto MukherjeeHariram
IftekharInspector Khurana
Helen
JagdeepSoorma Bhopali
AsraniHindi films like Sholay 3D
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