50 Years Of Sholay: From flop to a mega hit, how Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan starrer beat the odds

When Sholay released on August 15, 1975, the expectations from the Ramesh Sippy directorial were sky-high. Starring an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and a then not so popular Amjad Khan, the action drama was touted as India's biggest and most expensive film at the time.

But what followed on its opening weekend was far from spectacular. Early reviews were scathing, critics found the film too long, and the audience turnout wasn’t as enthusiastic as expected. Trade experts whispered the unthinkable - Bollywood’s magnum opus might be a massive flop.

But what turned the tide was something no marketing budget can buy. It was the word of mouth. Audiences who did venture into theatres were mesmerised by the film’s storytelling, characters, and cinematography. Slowly but surely, viewers started returning for repeat screenings. The film, which was expected to vanish quietly, began showing signs of life.

By its fourth week, Sholay had transformed from a struggling release into a box office juggernaut. Theatres that had reduced its shows were now increasing them. Sholay became a sensation thanks to Minerva Theatre, which screened the movie continuously for more than five years. It changed the definition of cinematic success and went on to become the highest-grossing Indian film of all time.