Director: Ramesh Sippy
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in India are as celebrated as Dharmendra. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1970’s, Dharmendra has become an icon in Bollywood movies. Whether it is dacoit gangsters, doomed lovers or comical teachers, Dharmendra has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Dharmendra’s finest strength as an actor has always been his powerful screen presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always left a big impression in every movie through his strong screen presence. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a film, Dharmendra has always left a huge impression. In light of his recent sad passing, Dharmendra has made many bold Bollywood classics that are worth watching. Throughout his career, Dharmendra created many memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a fan of Dharmendra and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Sholay” definitely stands out as being his most entertaining movie. Released in 1975, Ramesh Sippy’s movie offered a powerful portrait of dacoit bandits. Packed with bold musical sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it is a bold performance by Dharmendra, who embodies an outlaw on a dark mission. Ultimately, what makes “Sholay” an all-time Bollywood classic is universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies made during 1970’s which are often outdated today, it has aged extremely well. A brilliant Bollywood classic, there are several reasons why “Sholay” is a movie worth watching.
“Sholay” tells the story of a notorious bandit that endures a painful price to pay. Amitabh Bachchan portrays Jai, a low-level outlaw in India that endures tension. Accompanied by his longtime friend Veeru (Dharmendra), Jai has always excelled at resolving crime in his town of India. However, Jai’s life drastically changes when he’s tasked to track down a bandit that causes danger. Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) is a notorious bandit that is known for committing gruesome crimes in the village. Together, Jai and Veeru embark on adventures to track down Gabbar Singh. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Jai questions whether it’s possible to save his village in danger.
Ramesh Sippy is a newcomer towards the strides of criminals facing adversity. Before he made “Sholay”, Sippy had never made a Bollywood crime movie. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of bandits in a town facing adversity but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Sippy captures a pair of police embarking on a journey to rescue their destructive city. Evoking Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, Sippy expertly uses closeups to capture outlaws in a village that’s good, bad and ugly. For instance, closeups elevate the Gabbar Singh murder scene. During this unforgettable scene, Gabbar commits grim murder of individuals in his village causing tensions. Using closeups, Sippy creates a strong portrait of bandits that’s compelling. Closeups are complex techniques to use in most films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, closeups elevate dysfunctional family dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Sippy captures tensions that bandit outlaws are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Sholay” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will see. Sippy deftly uses Indian villages to create music scenes which are engaging. Throughout the movie, Sippy uses real-life villages in India to craft musical sequences which are engaging. For instance, the village elevates the Mehbooba Mehbooba song. During this engaging song, Gabbar Singh listens to music in his village performed by local dancers. Through real-life villages, Sippy creates a bold portrait of bandits that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. R.D. Burman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere by capturing the painful burden which bandits bear. Through production, Sippy captures bandits facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Sholay” is an Indian film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture bandits which face tensions. For instance, silence elevates the hands decapitation scene. During this tense scene, Thakur is devastated when his arms are cut off by Gabbar Singh. Through use of silence, Sippy creates a portrait of bandits that audiences can relate to. Silence is often a tricky technique to use in movies. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” suggested, silence enhances Indian films about doomed love. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” proved that silence enhances movies about blindness. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through an exceptional screenplay, Sippy captures bandit outlaws that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Dharmendra delivers one of his best career performances as Veeru. Dharmendra first earned recognition for playing courageous action heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Sholay”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play an outlaw embarking upon a journey that involves adversity but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and riveting in his most iconic career role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and sharp sense of humour of an outlaw embarking on expeditions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that ever made movies in India.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Dharmendra, the supporting cast is also superb and deserves recognition. Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant, bringing charisma to an outlaw that embarks upon a dangerous mission. Amjad Khan is amazing, bringing a sense of palpable tension to the movie as a frightening dacoit criminal committing crime that’s shocking. Lastly, Hema Malini merits appreciation. As a fierce village woman, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Sholay” would earn appreciation of everyone for honouring Indian bandits that face a price to pay. Unlike most Bollywood movies made in the 1970’s which tend to be outdated, it has aged beautifully. The film discusses strong themes including bravery, determination and grief which will definitely resonate among everyone. Viewers do not need to be familiar with the culture of India to appreciate it. Therefore, “Sholay” is one of those rare Bollywood films everyone will adore.
Fans of Dharmendra would absolutely enjoy “Sholay” and so would audiences that seek riveting entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood classic, it honours an iconic actor that has always captivated the public.
Nearly 50 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about brave police seeking to apprehend outlaws which face a price to pay, it’s a powerful reminder of a legendary Indian actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to blow audiences away by his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies that are definitely worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 