50 years of ‘Sholay’: Watching the cult classic in an equally iconic theatre-OxBig News Network

Raj Mandir theatre during the 50th year special screening of ‘Sholay’
| Photo Credit: Gopinath Rajendran

As a journalist who predominantly covers Tamil cinema, the most exciting part about the recent IIFA 2025 itinerary was the opportunity to catch Sholay. The screening was a part of the film’s 50^th anniversary and as someone who had never had the chance to watch the cult classic before, the screening became a priority on my trip to Jaipur. It was notable that this event was happening in Rajasthan, the landscape which proved to be the perfect canvas for several Curry Westerns, the desi equivalent of Spaghetti Westerns. But, interestingly, Sholay was shot near Bengaluru and it’s quite melodramatic that all these years later, the action-adventure film made it to Rajasthan for its 50^th year celebration.

Though I had not watched Sholay before, thanks to social media, I knew everything about the film — how Jai and Veeru have become synonymous with duos, the iconic ‘Yeh Dosti’ track (thanks to a hilarious comedy scene featuring Senthil and Goundamani) and what a terror the film’s antagonist Gabbar Singh. Interestingly, Kamal Haasan, who has been instrumental in bringing several Hindi actors to Tamil cinema, roped in Amjad Khan for his 1986 film Vikram in the role of a Sultan.

Decor for the 50th year special screening of ‘Sholay’
| Photo Credit:
Gopinath Rajendran

What made the screening sound more exciting was that it was being held at Raj Mandir Cinema. A bit of Googling told me that apart from being one of the oldest theatres in town, it is also said to be the largest single-screen theatre in Asia. A short bus trip from our hotel later, I reached Raj Mandir Cinema which was all decked up for the screening. The asymmetrical designs complete with stars on the facade were adorned with decorations for the screening. Right opposite the ticket counter was a scooter with a sidecar similar to the one that Jai and Veeru rode in. There was also a large ticket roll with details of the film’s screening punched in.

Stepping into Raj Mandir Cinema for the first time is quite an experience. With the large foyer adorned with multiple chandeliers dropping down from domes in the ceiling, a beautifully crafted semi-circular ramp doubles as the access to the balcony seats. The seats, based on pricing, are divided into categories such as Pearl, Ruby, Emerald and Diamond. With wooden handrails and plush carpets, a trip inside feels like stepping out of a time machine set back to the 80s.

Despite many more special decorations for the screening which doubled as selfie spots and more than 1000 people in attendance, pacing the foyer to get a small tub of popcorn or bumping into acquaintances, the theatre’s glory was on full display. And for a Chennai-based cinephile for whom theatres closing feels like a personal loss — we lost Udhayam recently, followed by the recent news of the closure of Sri Brinda theatre — witnessing a single-screen theatre not just survive but thrive with all its legacy still intact was a sight to behold.

Decor for the 50th year special screening of ‘Sholay’
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

If the foyer is a treat to the eyes, wait till you witness the actual theatre. The walls and ceiling are completed with decorative plaster twirls. A visit to the balcony turned out to be more of a pleasant surprise when the corridor was adorned with couches leaning on to a wall filled with frescos.

Interestingly, coinciding with Sholay completing 50 years and 25 years of IIFA, Raj Mandir is also stepping into its fifth decade. The event started with an interaction with Sholay’s director Ramesh Sippy which also featured filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya. Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Diya Kumari and the owners of the theatre were also a part of the event.

Dignitaries, including ‘Sholay’ filmmaker Ramesh Sippy at the 50th year special screening of the film
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“The 25 years of IIFA are as important today as the 50 years of Sholay. Together, we had a wonderful start last night, and it will continue not just tonight but on and on,” said Sippy. “Even after 50 years of Sholay, we are celebrating it, and people are still coming to see it. It’s proof enough that people loved the film, and loved it for everything that was in it.”

When the screening finally started, more than an hour after what was advertised, the audience’s adulation was reciprocated by the claps and whistles that filled the hall. After the opening credits rolled, the hoots hit a crescendo when Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan’s rather underplayed introduction shot came up.

What followed was the much-famed train fight sequence. I enjoyed how Jai and Inspector Thakur talk about their definition of bravery when the bandits interrupt the conversation and they literally have to walk the talk. The version I witnessed seems to be the remastered one as when Thakur realises he needs the help of Jai and Veeru, he shoots at the linking chains of their handcuff and the newly CGI-empowered bullet almost tears through the theatre screen.

Raj Mandir theatre’s interiors
| Photo Credit:
Gopinath Rajendran

With dacoits on horseback, Jai taking them down with a gun from the train’s caboose, Veeru throwing charcoal embers onto a carriage filled with oil and the train racing though the blockage of wooden logs…. these images, despite reminding of several train robbery sequences that have become synonymous with Westerns, manage to look exhilarating even today.

The show ended with a round of applause and while exiting Raj Mandir, I made a mental vow to come back to watch another iconic film in this iconic theatre.

And that’s the story of how a journalist who covers Tamil cinema finally understood the reference to the line ‘Kitne Aadmi The’.