Sholay is one of the most loved films of Indian cinema. When it was released in 1975, expectations were sky-high. The film was backed by a star-studded cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and written by the legendary screenwriting duo Salim-Javed.
This film masterfully combined elements of Westerns, action, and drama within a uniquely Indian context. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, ‘Sholay’ began with a budget of Rs 1 crore, which ultimately ballooned to Rs 3 crores, making it one of the most expensive Indian productions of its time. However, the initial response from critics was far from favourable.
Many early reviews criticised Sholay for being too long, overly dramatic, and lacking emotional depth. An old review of the film by a magazine has resurfaced on the internet, where the film has been panned by a critic. An old scathing review of Sholay The reviewer notes that the film starts off strongly, even humorously, but begins to falter post-interval, where the narrative shifts towards excessive violence.
According to the review, the writing duo of this "khichdi" film, Salim-Javed, seemed to believe that every scene has to be filled with fights and violence. This transition is critiqued for lacking genuine impact; the fight scenes are described as devoid of tension or excitement. While the film attempts to draw inspiration from Hollywood through its set designs, it fails to create an authentic atmosphere.
The review further critiques the film's productio.