Sholay turns 49: Here's where you can watch the Amitabh Bachchan-Dharmendra led cult classic film on streaming

The love for cinema is a universal feeling that none of us can deny. Even if you're not particularly fond of watching movies, it's impossible not to be touched by the world of films. Every industry across the globe has milestone movies that define its identity, shape its cinematic history, and highlight what it means to exist within that ecosystem. In India, films are made in many languages, with the four South Indian film industries and the Hindi film industry, aka Bollywood, being the most prominent. However, some films transcend the boundaries of industries and countries, becoming the cultural ambassadors of cinema as a whole. One such film from India is the cult classic Sholay. This iconic movie, starring some of the biggest stars, turns 49 today.

Sholay Turns 49

Featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Amjad Khan, and Sanjeev Kumar in pivotal roles, Sholay was released back in 1975 and gained recognition over the years. Amitabh Bachchan became the superstar he is today, and Dharmendra re-established himself as a hero of the masses. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, the film is now considered one of the most iconic Bollywood movies, often seen as the quintessential introduction to Indian cinema. As it completes 49 years, we’re here to tell you where you can watch it.

Yes, Sholay is now turning 50, and we’re in the 49th year since its release. The movie has attained cult status, and it’s hard to believe you haven’t seen it. But if you haven’t, we’ve got you covered. Over the years, the film has had a journey of its own. Now, as it approaches the milestone of five decades since its release, we encourage you to rewatch or watch it for the first time and experience its magic.

Also Read: Kamal Haasan to Amitabh Bachchan: 'I hated Sholay so much'

Sholay, with a runtime of 3 hours and 24 minutes, is streaming on Amazon Prime Video with your subscription. You can also watch it on Tubi with your Tuni subscription. For Apple TV users, you can rent the film on the app for ₹120. Apple TV+ subscribers can watch the film for free for a week, with a subsequent subscription of ₹99 per month.

Amitabh Bachchan on Sholay’s Initial Failure

In an interview with India Today on the film's 40th anniversary, Amitabh Bachchan reflected on why Sholay remains relevant. The megastar said, “The victory of good over evil and... most importantly, poetic justice in three hours! You and I shall not get it in a lifetime.”

Interestingly, Sholay was a flop when it first released in 1975 but was soon embraced by audiences. “In this profession, we are programmed for failure and success. Yes, when an effort fails, we feel disappointed but get back on the horse to ride again. Our disappointment on this one lasted a day, because after that it converted itself into success,” Big B added.

Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra's Sholay would have been panned if there were online reviews back then: Mukesh