The Indian Film Festival of Sydney to showcase restored Sholay with its original ending as centrepiece film

The Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS), presented by the team behind the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), has announced that a newly restored version of Sholay will be the centrepiece film at this year’s event. The festival will take place from October 9 to 11 and will celebrate Indian cinema with three days of screenings, panels, and special events.

The 1975 classic Sholay, often regarded as one of the greatest films in Indian cinema, has been restored in 4K by the Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Sippy Films. The restoration process took several years and involved sourcing a rare colour reversal print from London, as well as recovering original camera negatives and long-lost deleted scenes from a warehouse in Mumbai. The result is a high-quality version of the film that returns it to its original 70mm format.

Notably, the restored version features the original ending envisioned by director Ramesh Sippy—in which Thakur kills Gabbar Singh—an ending that was altered in the original release due to censorship issues. The film had its world premiere earlier this month at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and is now set to make its Australian debut in Sydney.

Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange shared her enthusiasm for the screening: “Sholay is more than just a film—it’s a part of Indian cultural history. Restoring its original ending is about more than just changing a scene; it’s about bringing back the director’s full vision. As we mark 50 years of Sholay, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the film’s enduring impact and its place in the legacy of Indian cinema. We’re excited for Sydney audiences to experience it the way it was originally meant to be seen.”

In addition to Sholay, the festival will feature over 15 films from across India, showcasing a range of languages, genres, and formats. The program also includes filmmaker Q&As, retrospectives, and panel discussions aimed at highlighting both the rich history and the evolving landscape of Indian cinema.

The Indian Film Festival of Sydney continues its mission to connect cultures through storytelling, honouring the classics while spotlighting new voices in contemporary Indian film.

Also Read: Bobby Deol’s Bandar and Dharmendra’s Sholay to be showcased at TIFF on the same day, September 6

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