Sholay turns 50: Hema Malini says remake can be made but 'you can't repeat the success'
Sholay, the forever iconic Hindi action movie, has turned 50 on August 15, 2025. On the special occasion, Hema Malini opened up about the essence of the film and whether a remake can be made or not.
Last Updated: 03.27 PM, Aug 15, 2025
Sholay was released in 1975, and on August 15, 2025, it turned 50. The film became the highest-grossing Indian film upon its release, surpassing the record set by Mughal-e-Azam. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan, and Sanjeev Kumar, the film is still a fan-favourite. As Sholay turns 50, Hema Malini, who played Basanti in the film, said that a remake can be made, but the success can't be repeated.
Hema Malini on Sholay remake
On the occasion of Sholay turning 50, Hema Malini opened up about the possibility of a remake of her iconic film. She told Hindustan Times, "Remake ho sakte hai, kyun nahi ho sakti (A remake can happen, why not). But woh aage 50 saal chalega ya nahi chalega woh guarantee nahi hai (But whether it will stand the test of time for the next 50 years or not, there’s no guarantee)."
She further explained that Sholay has a legacy, and it is iconic. Speaking about the essence of the film, the veteran actress said that people remember each and every dialogue of the film, so if new actors wish to perform those roles, they should, but she also cautioned that while the film can be remade, its success cannot be replicated.
Hema said, “Just like you can’t repeat Godfather, you can’t repeat the success of Sholay. You can repeat the story, but not the success. Whether people are going to accept and how they are going to accept is something to be seen."
Hema Malini recalls Sholay shooting days
Recalling the time she shot for Sholay, Hema shared that she has some fond memories of working with everyone. People ask her about her best memories, but she said that they never thought that they were supposed to remember anything.
"We all worked in Sholay like we do in other films. We have worked in several films, and Sholay was also one such film. Today, Sholay has become an iconic film… So when we look back, there are many pleasant and beautiful memories of working with all those stalwarts," she said.
About Sholay
Sholay is about two criminals, Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan), hired by a retired police officer (Sanjeev Kumar) to capture the dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan played Veeru and Jai's love interests as Basanti and Radha, respectively.
Sholay was directed by Ramesh Sippy, produced by G. P. Sippy, and written by the acclaimed duo Salim–Javed. The music score was composed by R. D. Burman.
Where to watch Sholay?
The 1975 iconic action-adventure movie, Sholay, is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, which is available to the existing users of OTTplay Premium.
FAQs
Q: Is Sholay a hit or flop?
A: Sholay became the highest-grossing Indian film upon its release in 1975, surpassing the record set by Mughal-e-Azam.
Q: Was Jaya pregnant during Sholay?
A: Abhishek Bachchan reveals a personal connection to the iconic film. His mother, Jaya Bachchan, was pregnant with Shweta during filming and with Abhishek himself during the premiere.
Q: Who is the highest-paid actor in Sholay?
A: As per reports, Dharmendra was the highest-paid actor with Rs 1.5 lakh, while Amitabh Bachchan earned Rs 1 lakh. Hema Malini earned Rs 75,000, and Jaya Bachchan received the lowest among the main cast at Rs 35,000.