India's greatest movie ever, Sholay, now in 3D

“There are three kinds of hits in India. One, a super hit. Two, a super duper hit. And finally there is Sholay.” These were Javed Akhtar’s exact words when we asked him to describe a film like Sholay. No other movie in India has ever held public attention to ransom like Sholay has. With perhaps the best star cast of that time and dialogues that are mouthed with panache even today, the movie is truly colossal. It won’t be too wrong to say that if there is a king among movies, it has to be Sholay. And for all those legion of young fans who were not born when Sholay was released and were thereby bereft of watching it on the big screen, there is some good news in store. Come 3rd January 2014, you will get to see it playing again in your nearest multiplexes, and this time in 3D. Isn’t that a delectable proposition? Jayantilal Gada of Pen, Ketan Mehta of Maya Studios and Sasha Sippy, the late G.P. Sippy’s grandson announced this decision yesterday as they presented the 3D version of Sholay to film lovers around the world. The trailer of the new 3D film was launched yesterday too and it goes without saying that 3D has only visually enhanced India’s greatest movie ever. It feels as if you are present right there in Ramgarh, where the entire action is unfolding. When a bullet is fired, it feels as if it’s fired right at you. When Gabbar glares, you will feel a chill running down your spine. His booming voice and life-like imposing figure in 3D make you feel like he is standing in front of you, in flesh and blood. When a locomotive dashes into a bunch of wooden logs and sends them hurling in all direction, you will surely feel some virtual logs scurrying your way and you may well duck for cover. That’s 3D for you. The sound too, has also been enhanced using Dolby Digital Atmos. Also sharing the podium yesterday, after a long gap were famous screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan. Both legends looked equally comfortable in each other’s company and shared a warm vibe throughout the ceremony. Salim even lauded the effort of Sasha Sippy and said, “It feels great that Sholay is coming in 3D. If we have a new technology, it's good to make use of it.” Javed Akhtar, on the other hand was his usual witty self. When we asked him who he sees playing Jai-Veeru if Sholay were ever to be remade, the poet teasingly remarked, “I see myself and Salim reprising those roles now.” Javed then went on to say that a film like Sholay cannot possible be made in present times because of the practical difficulties in finding a starcast like the original film. Javed also chose the occasion to set the record straight on the so-called famed rivalry between himself and Salim Khan. ‘Our friendship is today bonded by a strong Zanjeer,” said Javed eliciting peals of laughter and applause at the same time. However, when asked about a possible reunion for a future project, Javed quipped, “Just wait for some time. You will hear something big, shortly.” Well, we feel given the way Bollywood is terribly short of good scripts today, this could be the right time for Hindi cinema’s most famous scriptwriter duo to make a comeback and give yet another memorable hit together.