India, Dec. 12 -- Filmmaker Ramesh Sippy is dedicating the 4K version of Sholay - The Final Cut to the late actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24. The team had "some big plans" to rerelease the iconic film in Indian cinemas after it completes 50 years on August 15, but the passing of its leading hero Veeru has led to a more subdued theatrical release this Friday.

The filmmaker says, "We will miss him (Dharmendra) dearly. Unfortunately, he passed away as did Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar in earlier times, then Asrani recently and others have also passed away. But, all their work will be there forever. So, they live through the film now."

Sippy adds, "There were plans; we wanted to make a splash, but it wasn't appropriate. The film...