Sholay – The Final Cut faces issues ahead of release due to screen count, duration, ticket pricing and more

The first red flag appeared at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, when the planned showcase of Sholay – The Final Cut was abruptly cancelled.

Sholay has been re-released as Sholay - The Final Cut in theatres today. Marketed as a definitive version, the film screens in India for the first time with its original ending, two previously unseen deleted scenes, and a complete 4K restoration with Dolby 5.1 sound while retaining the film’s classic 70 mm aspect ratio. However, even before its release, the project ran into a series of avoidable setbacks that raised concerns.

The first red flag appeared at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, when the planned showcase of Sholay – The Final Cut was abruptly cancelled.

While many assumed the cancellation was linked to the passing of Dharmendra, a Hindustan Times report quoted an IFFI official who claimed the decision stemmed from “technical glitches from the makers’ side”.

Compounding the issue was a major discrepancy over the film’s nationwide release strategy. A trade source was quoted by Bollywood Hungama saying, “On November 15, the team of Sholay - The Final Cut, that is, restoration partner Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) and producers Sippy Films, announced that the 1975 classic will be re-released on December 12. Interestingly, the FHF’s social media post made a claim that the film would release in 1500 screens in India. But this piece of information was missing in the posts of Sippy Films and Pen.”

Only 10 days left to go! 'Sholay: The Final Cut’ - In cinemas 12th Dec 2025 Experience the original uncut version for the first time ever, restored in 4k and Dolby 5.1 by Film Heritage Foundation. Releasing across 1,500 screens in India. Also releasing worldwide in the… pic.twitter.com/tfV7E51V0J

— Sippy Films (@sippyfilms) December 2, 2025

Despite multiple posts from the Film Heritage Foundation reaffirming that this would be “the biggest ever release of a restored film,” insiders say the claim surprised the industry. The Bollywood Hungama trade source added, “The industry was shocked by this claim… As expected, it is struggling to get even 1000 screens… it’s next to impossible for the film to release in 1500 screens.”

Moreover, with Dhurandhar surging in its second week and the clash with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, exhibitors were also worried about scheduling two films that both exceed three and a half hours. An industry insider warned, “Dhurandhar has picked up big time… cinemas will face capacity issues… Sholay - The Final Cut’s tickets will be available at normal rates, which again, is not a good idea.”

He also questioned the timing of the release, asking, “Was there really a need to bring Sholay - The Final Cut in this crowded month?”

Adding to the turmoil, a new controversy erupted when the trailer revealed a dialogue alteration “James Bond” replaced by “Tatya Tope”. Apart from fans, even Javed Akhtar was taken aback. “What does this mean?… The audience won’t accept this... Have they spoken to the director? They have certainly not spoken to me or to Salim saab,” he told the portal.

#Sholay#SholayReRelease#SholayTheFinalCut Video #1 From The New Trailer Video #2 From The Film James Bond Gets Replaced by Tatya Tope. Tatya Tope must have been dubbed with James Bond during the original film. In Cinemas December 12 Trailer Link: https://t.co/dFMNQUIopDpic.twitter.com/5vXx2CAhYg — amit dadhich (@amit12354) December 5, 2025

Instead of riding purely on nostalgia, technical excellence and the emotional resonance of returning to theatres weeks after Dharmendra’s passing, Sholay – The Final Cut finds itself weighed down by confusion, and questionable decisions. As one insider summed up, the film hardly needed such noise: it merely needed respect.