Sholay…

Sholay – The movie which changed the course of Bollywood, the movie which created records which cannot be broken for years to come, the movie which created a cult of its own and inspired a whole generation after it. So what is there about Sholay which I am going to write and has not been told before?

Well ever since I saw Sholay the first time it created a nest in my mind, where I saw many new ideas and thoughts taking birth. Many of these thoughts were about what would have been the storyline of Sholay, if something would have happened in a different way? Let me note down some of these “Ifs” and “Buts” –

• What would have happened if Gabbar Singh would not have happened to escape from prison after he was caught by Thakur
• What would have happened if Thakur would have killed Gabbar in the very first place
• What would have happened if Jai and Veeru would have eloped with all the money from Thakur’s “Tijori”
• What would have happened if Veeru would have stayed back at the bridge fighting the bandits
• What if there would have been a special character in the plot who comes to light in the climax

Well on the first read these options would appear as “Bakwaas” and no one who has live by the story of Sholay will accept such Ifs and Buts in any form. I also had similar views, but then I thought how much is still there to be explored from this great work of Ramesh Sippy. I wonder why no one created a Sholay which instead of simply copying tried something new with the same storyline.

I don’t find any other movie in Bollywood which can offer such great possibilities for its viewers to explore. Just imagine you are sitting in the cinema theatre and Jai tosses the coin, this time Veeru says “Head” and as usual it comes “Head”. Now Veeru has to stay back to fight the bandits and Jai goes back to get some help. How will this Sholay end?

Well if this makes you think something then believe me the bug has bitten you, now go and watch “Sholay” again with all “Ifs” and “Buts” you can explore and then you will understand what Sholay can be.

Enjoy Sholay!!