Hey Sydney film buffs! Get ready for a treat. The Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS), brought to you by the same folks who run the Melbourne festival, is hitting town from October 9th to 11th, 2025, and they’re kicking things off with a bang!
The star of the show? None other than Sholay, that legendary Bollywood classic, but not just any Sholay. We’re talking about a brand-new, sparklingly restored version.
A Classic Reborn
Seriously, this isn’t just a quick polish. The Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films have gone all-out, restoring Sholay in stunning 4K. They dug deep, finding rare color prints in London and lost negatives in Mumbai, to make this the best Sholay you’ve ever seen.
Imagine seeing it in its original 70mm format, with incredible sound and visuals. But the real kicker? They’ve restored director Ramesh Sippy’s original ending, where Thakur gets his revenge on Gabbar Singh! It’s the director’s true vision, finally brought to life.
Sydney: One of the First to See It!
The restored Sholay made its big debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) earlier this month, and now Sydney is one of the first cities in the world to get a look. Pretty cool, right?
What the Festival Director Says
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange is just as excited as we are. She says, “Sholay is more than a film—it is part of India’s memory and myth. Restoring the original ending revives the full vision of its creator. As we mark 50 years, it is a celebration of courage and timeless cinema.”
More Than Just Sholay
But wait, there’s more! IFFS 2025 isn’t just about Sholay. They’ll be showing over 15 films from all sorts of genres and languages. Plus, get ready for filmmaker talks, retrospectives, and panel discussions. It’s a great mix of classic Indian cinema and exciting new voices.
So mark your calendars for October 9-11, Sydney! It sounds like it’s going to be an amazing festival.
