Yesterday night, Sholay was released in Pakistan but failed to impress the audience. Even after 40 years since it was released to immense critical acclaim and praise, Sholay continues to enthrall audiences till this day. However, Pakistanis did not flock to the theaters to catch a glimpse of the Jay-Veeru bond of brotherhood for the very first time in the country.
Ali Chaudhry, Director Operations of Cinestar, “If on Friday, a holiday, it is not doing well, we don’t hold out much hopes of box-office collections picking up on Saturday and Sunday,” he said. Others were of the view that the dismal performance of Sholay was due to Furious 7, which had broken multiple records in Pakistan and was going strong.
Amjad Rasheed, Chairman, IMGC Global Entertainment, a leading distributor of foreign films in Pakistan, agreed that the response to Sholay has been “very poor with an average ocupancy of only 15 per cent” despite the only competition coming from the Emraan Hashmi’s Bollywood starrer, Mr X which has got off to an “okay” start.”But it is the Hollywood blockbuster, Fast & Furious 7, which is leading even in the third week,” he added.
Sholay is based on two ruffians who are hired to rid the village of Rampur from tyrant Gabbar Singh and his band of dacoits. Jay and Veery are street smart and skilled gunfighters who give Gabbar a run for his money. Featuring the introvert Radha played by Jaya Bachchan and the extrovert, extremely talkative Basanti, played by Hema Malini, the film does not disappoint. From comedy, to tragedy and drama, Sholay is a spaghetti western that does not disappoint at any level. Catchy songs, a veteran cast and Amjad Khan’s Gabbar never fades away!
The film should have been released at any other time in Pakistan. Though Sholay is an all-time classic, it’s obvious movie enthusiasts would flock to see trending films such as Furious7 or Emraan Hashmi’s Mr.X instead of a vintage film.
