India, Aug. 15 -- As Ramesh Sippy's film Sholay completes 50 years, we uncover fascinating behind-the-scenes stories that changed filmmaking forever.

With its legendary ensemble cast (Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan), breathtaking Ramanagara landscapes, and groundbreaking technical achievements (India's first 70mm widescreen release with stereophonic sound), the film didn't just break box office records - it rewrote the rules of Hindi cinema.

We bring some untold stories - from HT's archives and previous interviews - of how a film that was declared a flop became perhaps the most influential Hindi movie ever made.

Sholay became the highest-grossing Indian film upon its release in 19...