Sholay Did It Age Well? A Look at Its Enduring Themes

When Abhishek Bachchan posits that “Gabbar was gay” in the 2008 comedy *Dostana*, he wasn’t far off. Gabbar’s iconic dialogue, “Kitne aadmi the?” in the 1975 action-adventure *Sholay* remains etched in the Indian audience’s memory. Almost 50 years after the film opened to a tepid response but soon became a blockbuster by word of mouth, we look back at this dacoits-meet-Westerns-meets-bromance classic to determine, “Did Sholay age well?”

The Bromance Of Jai and Veeru

Well, the homoeroticism was quite obvious. Jai and Veeru refer to each other as partners and sing about never leaving each other’s side. The motorbike with a sidecar they ride in the “Ye Dosti” song became a utopian symbol of male friendship. Jai and Veeru also deliver impeccable comic timing and physical antics reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy. They hold hands and vow to die rather than leave each other, showcasing the depth of their trust and love. It is their bromance that holds this film together, along with the allure of the horses and guns combo.

Stereotypes and LGBTQIA+ Representation

However, there’s a side character—a very pretty, effeminate man wearing blush and delicately curled hair—presumably cast to portray a stereotypical image of a gay man for laughs. In another scene, dacoits mock Thakur by saying, “Thakur ne Hijron ki fauj banayi hai (Thakur has an army of transgender women belonging to the Hijra community),” thus implying that they are weak and emasculated. These tropes appear in many films even today, and they need to be retired immediately. The inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people for the purpose of pointing at them and laughing is not only insensitive and harmful but also constitutes poor storytelling.

The Role Of Women: Basanti as a Feminist Icon

Sholay is admittedly very much centered on men, but the movie does have a little treat for the girls—cue our OG Geet, Basanti! The gorgeous Hema Malini, with her effervescent dialogue delivery and excellent dancing skills, is the perfect contrast to Jai’s standoffish seriousness. She actively participates in some action scenes and gets more to do than just play the damsel in distress. Basanti is a feminist girlboss with unmatched tonga-driving skills, but she is also an over-sharing yapper. How very millennial of her! I imagine she would have a successful podcast in 2024.

Controversial Scenes and Modern Implications

However, the choice to have Veeru grope Basanti under the pretext of teaching her about guns leaves an extremely bad taste in the mouth, though she immediately calls him out on it. Considering that we are supposed to root for them as a couple a few scenes later, having your hero sexually harass the woman should be a hard no, but sadly, it still happens in contemporary cinema. Also, a PSA: if you want to blackmail your girlfriend’s family into marrying her to you, try not to also be an alcoholic issuing a fake suicide threat in front of the entire village? Dharmendra’s “Chakki peesing and peesing” might be cute, but dramatic threats that trivialize suicide are definitely not, neither is manipulating a woman into marriage.

Positive Representation of Women

That said, Sholay treats its women better than expected in other areas. It delivers an imperfect but sincere endorsement of widow remarriage and the simple fact that a widow is also entitled to romance. Additionally, Sholay gets “item songs” just right. While “Mehbooba Mehbooba” caters to the “distract the villains while the heroes implement sabotage” trope, it does so as a roaring RD Burman classic with Helen exuding a joyful sensuousness that instantly makes you smile. When it’s Hema Malini’s turn with “Jab Tak Hai Jaan,” she sings of love as a form of defiance against cruelty. With lyrics like “bebas hoon lekin nahi main bezubaan (I might be helpless but I am not voiceless),” she describes a revolution.

Political Discourse and Timeless Relevance

The movie also features interesting political discourse, making a case for violent resistance against tyranny instead of “ahinsa” (peaceful protests). I found myself drawing parallels to the history of occupation and resistance in Palestine! For a movie that came out half a century ago, it is surprisingly still relevant and has aged tolerably well.

Conclusion: Sholay Did It Age Well

In conclusion, while Sholay has its fair share of problematic elements, particularly in its portrayal of LGBTQIA+ characters and some questionable scenes involving consent, the film has aged surprisingly well in many aspects. The bromance between Jai and Veeru remains a highlight, showcasing a deep, platonic love that transcends traditional gender norms. Basanti’s character also stands out as a feminist icon, challenging the typical damsel-in-distress trope.

The film’s ability to tackle complex political themes and its sincere endorsement of widow remarriage are also commendable. While some scenes may be cringe-worthy by today’s standards, Sholay remains a classic that has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Its enduring popularity and relevance, even half a century later, are a testament to its storytelling prowess and cultural impact.

As we reflect on Sholay’s legacy, it’s crucial to acknowledge its flaws while appreciating its strengths. By doing so, we can learn from the past and strive to create more inclusive, sensitive, and progressive narratives in the future. Sholay may not be perfect, but it remains a beloved and influential film that continues to captivate audiences across generations.

Stay tuned for more articles like this from Takeone in the future.