Sholay
Directed by Ramesh Sippy · 1975 ·
Is Sholay worth watching?
Yes. Sholay (1975) earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 3 inputs.
3-input transparent breakdown
Also known as शोले Fogo real 炎 화염 怒焰骄阳 太陽的烈焰 Intikam ve Yasa / Solay الشعلة
🏆 1 award win · 1 nomination — Won Best Editing, National Film Awards (India) 1976
United Producers Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists ITVX in the United Kingdom. Check local listings for your region.
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play
Where to watch Sholay by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| India | Prime Video |
| Japan | Hulu |
| Nigeria | Prime Video |
| South Africa | Prime Video |
| United Kingdom | ITVX |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (96/100).
- Audiences widely enjoyed it (90%).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.5/5).
- IMDb users score it 8.1/10.
- Celluloid Score 87% combines 3 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded action, western pick
- Epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience
Not ideal for
- Viewers who dislike long runtimes
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Sholay worth watching?
Yes — Sholay earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded action, western pick, but viewers who dislike long runtimes may want to skip it. Read our full review (4.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
India's definitive masala western — endlessly quoted, remade in spirit, never surpassed.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Sholay about?
Two small-time crooks hired to capture a ruthless bandit forge unlikely bonds with villagers on the dusty frontier.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Sholay (1975) Review: Friendship, Fire and Gabbar Singh
★★★★½
Sholay is Ramesh Sippy's sprawling 1975 Hindi 'curry western' about two crooks hired to catch a bandit, still the most quoted and beloved Bollywood blockbuster.
Yes. It is essential for anyone interested in Indian cinema or great westerns, as long as you are ready for a long, song-filled epic that mixes comedy with brutal revenge.
Sholay stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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Sholay: frequently asked questions
Is Sholay worth watching?
Yes. Sholay (1975) has a Celluloid Score of 87%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Sholay?
In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play. Elsewhere: Prime Video in India; Hulu in Japan; Prime Video in Nigeria; Prime Video in South Africa. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Sholay?
Sholay runs 3 hours 24 minutes (204 minutes).
What is Sholay rated?
Sholay is rated PG in the UK, U in India and PG in Singapore. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Sholay?
Sholay is directed by Ramesh Sippy and stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini.
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