The legendary movie 'Sholay' features in Barbican Cinema's What London Watches: 10 Films That Shook The World.

What London Watches - 10 Films That Shook The World, includes among others, Casablanca, Cabaret and Threads.

Dubbed ‘The Godfather of Bollywood films’, Sholay topped the Indian box office for an incredible 19 years following its original release in 1975. 

Opening with one of the most memorable action sequences in film history, the idea for this legendary epic was nevertheless rejected multiple times by filmmakers before director Ramesh Sippy got his hands on it. 

Heavily influenced by The Western, this breathless action-adventure has left an impact on Indian cinema like no other.

One of the London participants in What London Watches who suggested Sholay, Bobby from New Southgate said, “Sholay truly shook my world and also that of over a billion people who have experienced its sublime brilliance and timeless tales of love, revenge, power, social responsibility, loss and celebration - all intermingled in an unforgettable screenplay.

"Sholay is still the best known 'Bollywood' movie of all time amongst people of non-Indian origin and has truly become a part of my DNA.”

Set in the small village of Ramgarh, Sanjeev Kumar plays Thakur, a retired police chief who enlists the help of two criminals to bring down Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan), a notorious bandit who murdered his family and terrorised the region.

Opening with one of the most memorable action sequences in film history, it’s clear to see why this breathless action-adventure has left an impact on Indian cinema like no other. 

Sholay (PG) will be shown on Saturday 8 April 7pm (Cinema 2).


For more information see barbican.org.uk/film or call the box Office on 0845 120 7527.