From being an obsessive film viewer when I would often watch multiple films in a theatre, over a single weekend, I have become a rare theatre goer. Due to various reasons, chief amongst which is that I find most films a waste of my time!
For being that, it was a special week this one where I saw not one, but two films, AND both of which were nearly 3.5 hours long!!
The first one was Dhurandar. There was just a lot of peer pressure on this one. With everyone going gaga over the movie, I had to see it. And for me, it was an “okay” film. One that I could have safely missed. Then again, I don’t want to debate this with anyone who loved it. It’s my personal opinion, largely linked to what kind of cinema and stories appeal to me.
The second one was the OG of 3+ hour Indian films, released with its “Final Cut”! Yes, the one and only Sholay.
And having seen both of these, I can safely say that Sholay is maybe 10x better than Dhurandar.
Dhurandar will maybe climb to becoming the highest grossing movie or something, but it won’t be much remembered in 1 year. And Sholay continues to be loved 50 years later!
Because it is a fundamentally fabulously made cinema! And yes, after seeing it the nth time today, I still can’t really find a fault!
And for a movie released 50 years ago, it doesn’t seem “old” in any respect. Take for example, the action sequences. How much more tech and equipment is available today, and yet, Sholay, made more than 50 years back, has the sequences as good as they could be, to depict the many horses racing by a train or a horse cart being chased and getting one wheel broken off and continuing to race away, etc. Brilliant it was.
So way ahead of its times in all respects of production quality!
And it was so perfectly made when it comes to:
Casting – main and supporting characters, all perfectly chosen,
Editing – scarcely a moment where you see a drag or you need to take your eyes off the screen,
Music
Lyrics
Dialogues
Cinematography
Action
Story
Everything just so perfect!
Such amazing performances from Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan on debut! And from Dharmendra and Amitabh and Hema Malini and Jaya. Awesome cameos from Jagdeep, Asrani, A K Hangal etc.
It was clearly a director’s film. Salute again to a 28-years old Ramesh Sippy for creating this magnum opus!
He has long earned his place in the Hall of Fame, for making Sholay!
Random Musings 