Nepal, July 29 -- Released in 1975, Sholay marks 50 years since its debut-five decades of cinematic glory that few films anywhere in the world can rival. More than a movie, Sholay became a cultural watershed, a touchstone in Hindi popular cinema whose echoes continue to reverberate across generations-and across borders.

At Mumbai's iconic Minerva Theatre, Sholay ran uninterrupted for five straight years, from 1975 to 1980. Audiences returned repeatedly, mouthing its dialogues, humming its songs, and immersing themselves in the lives of Jai, Veeru, Basanti, and Gabbar. Its soundtrack, released on cassette and LP vinyl, shattered sales records. In many Indian neighbourhoods, simply playing the film's music over a loudspeaker was enough to ...