Overview

• The restored edition restores roughly six minutes of footage including the original ending in which Thakur kills Gabbar, and premiered at Il Cinema Ritrovato on June 27.
• A gala North American screening is set for September 6 at TIFF’s Roy Thomson Hall ahead of any official domestic theatrical rollout.
• Hema Malini has publicly argued that the film “should remain untouched,” rejecting alterations to the version familiar to generations of viewers.
• Anniversary retrospectives have spotlighted production memories such as Hema Malini’s three-dress wardrobe, Dharmendra’s lone costume and the real-life romance that enriched their on-screen bond.
• Filmmakers, cast and critics are debating whether restoring the censored climax honors Ramesh Sippy’s original vision or disrupts the cultural landmark audiences have long embraced.