Sholay in Italy: Amitabh Bachchan Recalls 2,000 Fans Watching Restoration Till 3 AM

Amitabh Bachchan shared a touching memory on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, reflecting on the timeless legacy of his 1975 classic blockbuster Sholay and its grand 50th-anniversary premiere in Italy.

Speaking with contestant Dr. Ganesh Baraiya, the 83-year-old veteran actor revisited the world premiere of Sholay‘s newly restored print, organized by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of the Film Heritage Foundation. The event took place on June 27, 2025, at the historic central square in Bologna, Italy.

Big B recalled how nearly 2,000 Italian spectators stayed glued to their seats from 11:00 PM until 3:00 AM to watch the iconic film unfold on the big screen, highlighting the global appeal and enduring magic of Indian cinema. Originally released on August 15, 1975, Sholay remains one of the most influential films in Indian cinematic history.

During the episode, Bachchan also fondly remembered his co-star Dharmendra’s warmth and hospitality during their working years. He shared how Dharmendra’s home was always welcoming to everyone, recounting an instance where Dharmendra warmly greeted unfamiliar visitors sitting on his staircase simply because they had traveled from rural towns to see him.