A highly stylized action film, ' Sholay' was one of the most successful film in Indian film industry in the 70's. The film had all the ingredients like action, romance, comedy and songs considered essential for a successful commercial film. But Sholay's mastery lay in the sub plots and minor characters, all of which are etched out with the minutest detail and completeness touching a chord in the audience heart.

The film unfolds the story of a former military officer Thakur Baldeo Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) who loses his entire family and gets his hands chopped off after he arrests a dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Thakur hires and trains two thieves Jai and Veeru (Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra) to carry out his revenge and to eradicate a town and the neighboring villages from the menace of Gabbar Singh.

Dharmendra falls in love with a cart driver Basanti (Hema Malini) and Amitabh gets attracted to widow Radha (Jaya Bhaduri, Thakur's daughter-in-law). The duo with the help of villagers makes Gabbar sing men flee from the village. Gabbar goes crazy over this incidents and kills his failed men. Now the fight begins between the duo and the gabbar. Jay looses his life but suceeds in saving Veeru and Basanti from the hands of Gabbar. Veeru catches Gabbar but due to the intervention of Thakur, hands over Gabbar to police. Sholay's unusual tragic ending broke new ground in Indian cinema.

Although top stars like Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri were among the star cast, it was the new actor Amjad Khan who stole the show. He immortalized the character 'Gabbar Singh' by playing his role with perfection.The other character artists including the eccentric jailer Asrani (Hum Angrezon ke Zamane ke Jailor Hain), the boastful ironsmith Jagdeep, all of them have done their part well.

Though the film depicts the usual Indian themes of dedication in friendship and love, Sholay became the longest -running film in Indian film industry. Amjad fitted the character like a glove-he had a harsh face with a soft voice. For the first time in Hindi films, the audio cassettes of a villains (Amjad) dialogue became a popular buy.

Helen's special dance number 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' is an all-time rage and is crucial in giving the cabaret dancer the epithet of Indian Cinema's Golden Girl.

The music, lights, sound, acting, screenplay, dialogues and direction are uniformly excellent, and the action is fast paced and economical. Altogether Sholay was a film worth every penny you spend on it..