As the iconic film Sholay approaches its 50th anniversary on August 15, 2025, its dialogues continue to resonate with audiences, solidifying its place as a cult classic in Indian cinema. Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by Salim-Javed, Sholay boasts memorable lines delivered by a stellar cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan.

Sholay, released on August 15, 1975, initially received negative reviews and a tepid commercial response. However, positive word-of-mouth propelled it to become a box office phenomenon, breaking records for continuous showings in theaters across India. It ran for over five years at Mumbai's Minerva Theatre and became the highest-grossing Indian film at the time.

The dialogues of Sholay have become ingrained in Indian pop culture, with phrases like "Kitne aadmi the?" (How many men were there?) and "Basanti, in kutto ke samne mat nachna" (Basanti, don't dance in front of these dogs) transcending their cinematic origins to become part of everyday vernacular. These lines, penned by Salim-Javed, have stood the test of time and contribute significantly to the film's timelessness.

Some of the most iconic dialogues from Sholay include:

• "Kitne aadmi the?" Uttered by the menacing villain Gabbar Singh, this dialogue showcases his tyranny as he mocks his henchmen for failing to capture Jai and Veeru despite outnumbering them.
• "Tera kya hoga Kaliya?" (What will happen to you, Kaliya?) In the same scene, Gabbar points his pistol at his right-hand man and jokes, highlighting his cruelty and power.
• "Yeh haath mujhe de de Thakur" (Give me these hands, Thakur) Gabbar says this line to Thakur after he has already killed Thakur's family and chopped off his hands.
• "Jo darr gaya samjho marr gaya" (The one who is scared is dead) Gabbar says this dialogue after playing a game of Russian roulette with his henchmen.
• "Basanti, in kutton ke saamne mat naachna" (Basanti, don't dance in front of these dogs): Veeru says this to his love interest Basanti when they are being threatened by Gabbar's gang.
• “Gabbar se keh dena ki Ramgarhwaalon ne paagal kutton ke saamne roti daalna band kar diya hai” (Tell Gabbar that the people of Ramgarh have stopped throwing bread to mad dogs) Thakur says this line during his confrontation with Gabbar Singh, conveying the villagers' refusal to submit to Gabbar's tyranny.
• “Mujhe to sab police waalon ki suratein ek jaisi lagti hain” (All policemen look the same to me) Jai says this line when he and Veeru are being arrested by the police.
• “Chal Dhanno, aaj teri Basanti ki izzat ka sawal hai” (Come on Dhanno, today it is a question of your Basanti's honor) Basanti says this to her loyal donkey, Dhanno, urging her to run faster to escape from Gabbar Singh's men.
• “Loha garam hai, maar do hathoda” (The iron is hot, strike the hammer) Thakur instructs Jai and Veeru to take action against Gabbar Singh, reflecting his strategic plan to seize the opportunity to defeat Gabbar.
• "Arrey oh Sambha ... kitna inaam rakhe hai sarkar ham par?" (Hey Sambha, how much price money has the government kept on me?)

The film's characters, including Jai, Veeru, Thakur, Gabbar, and Basanti, have become iconic figures in Indian cinema. Amjad Khan's portrayal of Gabbar Singh, in particular, is considered one of the most memorable villainous performances in Bollywood history.

Sholay's success also elevated the status of scriptwriters in Hindi cinema, with Salim-Javed becoming stars in their own right. The film's impact extended beyond the box office, influencing a new wave of filmmakers and setting a precedent for action films in India.

Despite its initial poor reception, Sholay has become a cultural phenomenon, loved by generations and inspiring countless filmmakers. Its themes of friendship, justice, and heroism continue to resonate with audiences, ensuring its place as a timeless classic in Indian cinema.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Sholay has been restored in 4K by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Sippy Films Pvt. The restored version premiered at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna in June and will be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.