NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, January 7, 2025: Atlanta film lovers and members of the Indian diaspora are in for a cinematic treat this weekend as Reel Friends, the city’s innovative film collective, brings one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated films to the big screen. On Saturday, January 10, at 7 p.m., Reel Friends will present a special screening of Sholay at the historic Plaza Theatre.
The screening marks the In-The-Present (ITP) premiere of Sholay: The Final Cut, a newly restored 4K version of the 1975 blockbuster. The event is sponsored by Videodrome Atlanta in partnership with Reel Friends.
Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by the legendary screenwriting duo Salim-Javed, Sholay is often described as a “curry western” — a bold, genre-defying film that blends action, revenge, comedy, tragedy, romance, music, and dance. The film’s unforgettable soundtrack was composed by R.D. Burman, whose music remains deeply woven into India’s cultural memory.
Upon its release in 1975, Sholay premiered at Mumbai’s Minerva cinema hall, where it ran continuously for five years — an extraordinary feat that underscored its mass appeal. The film’s enduring legacy was formally recognized when it was voted the greatest Indian film ever made in a 2002 British Film Institute poll and was named “Film of the Millennium” by BBC India in 1999.
Why Sholay Remains Iconic
More than five decades later, Sholay continues to evoke powerful nostalgia across generations. For many viewers, the film is inseparable from memories of packed single-screen theaters, dialogue recited word for word, and characters that feel almost mythic. From the menacing villain Gabbar Singh to the unlikely friendship at the heart of the story, Sholay shaped how Indians understood heroism, friendship, sacrifice, and justice on screen. Its dialogues became everyday phrases, its songs lifelong companions, and its scenes shared cultural reference points — making the film not just a movie, but a collective memory passed down from parents to children, now rediscovered by new audiences in restored cinematic splendor.
Event Details
When:
Saturday, January 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Where:
Plaza Theatre
1049 Ponce DeLeon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
What:
A special 4K restoration screening of Sholay (1975) — Sholay: The Final Cut — presented by Reel Friends.
Tickets:
Available at the Plaza Theatre website.
About Reel Friends
Reel Friends is an Atlanta-based film collective dedicated to fostering community, supporting independent creators, and celebrating authentic storytelling. Through collaborative productions, screenings, and events, the group brings filmmakers and audiences together to create connections that extend beyond the screen.
More information about Reel Friends and its mission can be found at reelfriendsfilms.com.
