Sholay Re-release Review: How Will the Audience Respond to the Original Climax

Udaipur, Dec 13, 2025: The re-release of Sholay has become even more special because Dharmendra, who played the lead role in the film, is no longer with us. Whether you call it a coincidence or not, this re-release also serves as a tribute to him. In the film, Veeru climbed the water tank and declared “marna cancel,” but sadly, this could not happen in real life. Along with Veeru’s memories, every character, dialogue, song, and even some conversations in the film remain very close to the hearts of the audience. But the question is: will this re-release increase or decrease fans’ love for the film, or could the makers have done something differently?

The uncut version of Sholay features the original climax, which was changed during the Emergency. In this version, Gabbar is killed by Thakur. Some other scenes that were removed at the time are also shown now.

But was it really necessary to re-release the film with these changes? Could something else have been done that would have pleased the audience more—like having Jai survive? Jai’s death was a shock not only for Veeru but also for the audience.

Would an Alternative Ending Please the Audience?

Which ending would make the audience happy? Perhaps the only alternative fans might want is for Jai to survive and for Radha not to be widowed twice. In a film that had nothing to do with politics, during a time of social and political upheaval, this was a big ask. However, Salim-Javed probably knew better. Radha’s heartbreaking grief, and the image of her extinguishing the lantern while a handsome and stoic Jai watches, is the beating heart and emotional core of the story.

Reliving Memories Through the Re-release

The most special thing about the re-release is reliving the era and the story. Every detail of the amazing soundtrack comes alive again—from the sharp sound during Thakur’s family tragedy, to the scraping of the leather belt during Gabbar’s entry, to the melancholic harmonica showing Jai and Radha’s unfulfilled love, to the sound of the steam engine and the rattling freight train, and even the galloping of the horses.

Even after all these years, Sholay’s humor, emotion, and Gabbar remain fresh. A hall full of millennials, many discovering the film through their parents, are once again reliving the camaraderie of Jai and Veeru, the love between Jai and Radha, the enmity between Thakur and Gabbar, and the playful romance between Veeru and Basanti.