My parents can never stop ranting about “aaj kal ke zamaane ki movies ki koi story hi nai hoti”. I’m sure you must have heard this too. Well, there’s no denying that unke zamaane ki movies have been cult classics packed with exaggerated love, action, drama and dialogues. And one such classic movie is Sholay. So, I thought about giving Sholay a rewatch. After all, what’s a better way to kill three and a half hours? Released in 1975, Sholay will celebrate its 49th anniversary this Independence Day, living up to the box office’s verdict of being an “All Time Blockbuster”. 

As a young girl, when I first watched Sholay, all I cared about was getting a large tub of popcorn to get through it. But as a 22-year-old, I discovered some life lessons in Sholay that my younger self could never have learnt.

A little rewind for you if you’ve forgotten the plot. A police officer employs two of the most wanted convicts to avenge the death of his family at the hands of a ruthless dacoit. Even thieves have potential, peeps! Even they are being ‘recruited’. Sholay, the iconic movie, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kapoor, and Amjad Khan, among others. 

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Here are some lessons I learnt from the 1975 movie Sholay while constantly gushing over the young Amitabh Bachchan and laughing at the bizarre dialogues of the film.

1. How to deal with Mummy ke taane

The next time your mom shouts at you for not doing things correctly, unleash your inner Basanti and say, “Tum toh bas hukka paani leke chadh jaati ho, sunti toh ho nai.” If she is a die-hard Sholay fan, she might laugh a little and spare you! If not, find a place to hide from your mummy ke chappal.

2. Never be sorry for being a badmash

Who thought being a hooligan would pay off? It’s true because Thakur saw the true potential of Jai and Veeru and said, “Badmaash hai par bahadur bhi”. He went on to normalise thievery and employed skilled robbers for his revenge. So, don’t underestimate your potential, babe, and definitely don’t let your boss or anyone tell you that you are good for nothing.

3. How to interact with stupid people

The rule of thumb when interacting with stupid people is — don’t! They don’t even deserve a reaction. But, if you really wish to say something, just say, “Ramgarh walon ne pagal kutto ke saamne roti daalna band kardiya hai”, and move on! Mic drop!

4. Never trust your BFF’s driving skills

Yes, you shouldn’t. The next time your best friend comes up to you and says, “Aaj gaadi tera bhai chalayega”, don’t hand them the keys. Jai might be the real hero for saving Veeru, but his driving skills leave much to be desired. Don’t believe me? Watch him drive a motorcycle in the song “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin”, and you’d never want to ride behind a two-wheeler again. 

5. Indecisive much? Flip a coin!

I’m very indecisive, but not anymore! Sholay taught me that I don’t need to overthink to make a good decision, I can just flip a coin. It will not only take away the burden of being accountable but also make the process of decision-making fun and eventful. The number of times Jai and Veeru made important life decisions through a coin flip, inviting adventure and thrill, is noteworthy. Can’t decide between going to work or enjoying that concert? Folks, just toss the coin and blame it on your fate later! 

6. Sholay is the origin of oversharing 

Way back in 1975, Sholay introduced the concept of oversharing before Gen Z claimed it. I related to Basanti on a spiritual level. I can’t help but share every tiny detail with a stranger I just met. Please! It’s better than sharing awkward silences. But God help those who meet people like Basanti (or me, for that matter) because she will leave you with bleeding ears unless you’re a Veeru. Besides, I think Basanti and Geet would be best friends in another universe. 

7. Timing is everything

The best lesson that Thakur teaches us is that timing is everything. The moment he discovers Gabbar would be busy enjoying himself, he orders Jai and Veeru to attack his gang. We all should follow Thakur’s ideology of “Loha garam hai, maar do hathoda”. 

8. Gabbar’s God complex

As much as Gabbar is the absolute villain of the story, there’s something to learn from him in modern times. We all undermine our worth and constantly judge ourselves. But Gabbar’s God complex and humour are the key to living freely. This is why I feel that I can move a mountain, apply for a 10-day vacation at work, and so on. And now, I would like to sleep with this thought. 

9. Never lose out on the fun!

You could be fighting for your life or undergoing a major crisis, but masti rukni nahi chahiye. I want the kind of chill Jai and Veeru have. They are battling with actual daaku(s), but Veeru still wants to sip on his alcohol while his life is at stake. They both spent the time of their lives while robbing someone’s motorcycle or running away from every jail they went to. However, their angrezon ke zamaane ka jailor was a bit too clumsy, which makes sense as to why they could escape. 

It’s time to switch on your laptop, head to Amazon Prime Video and watch Sholay 1975 with the OG audience — your parents!

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