If you have seen this movie do you agree with the title I have given? Believe it or faint I have seen this movie 17 times.It is enough to make anyone stagger.But ask any Indian and you will see that he/she has seen it at least once in their life.It is like the Gone With The Wind of India.It occupies a pride of place in every Indian’s heart.The director Ramesh Sippy cannot repeat this miracle though he has tried his level best to repeat the success of Sholay.Sholay was, is and will be the best that Indian Cinema has come out with.Imagine when it was released a lot of scepticism was going around especially where Amjad Khan was concerned.Industry folks were willing to bet anything that he will not work as the infamous dacoit Gabbar Singh.But today history has been reversed.Amjad Khan is dead and he is best remembered for his portrayal of Gabbar Singh.Each and every actor or actress associated with this flick is remembered to this day.Imagine Leela Mishra till her last day on earth was known as Basanti’s Mausi.Till today, scriptwriters are urged to write a script like Sholay.But this is a once in a lifetime phenomenon.No one will be able to create the kind of hysteria it created.Imagine running in one cinema for 5 years continously without one show empty?It is a miracle which will be never repeated at the box office.It is classified as a Curry Western.All about a retired cop played so well by Sanjeev Kumar who hires 2 goons who are inseparable friends to catch the dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh who has been terrorising the village of Ramgarh and who has also massacred the cop’s entire family save one daughter in law who is mentally scarred by the incident.This movie has everything going for it.A superb script which has all the makings of a potboiler.The violence in the movie was path breaking.It was only after this flick that Indian movies started showing blood in copious quantities.The massacre sequence of the cop’s family was done in slow motion and brought a gasp from everyone at that time.Today it will not draw even a cursory glance.All the characters were colorful to say the least.Till today poeple remember the Jailer with the Hitler type moustache portrayed by Asrani so effortlessly.Who can forget the talkative Basanti?There are so many ground breaking scenes which come to mind.For instance, when the dacoits chase Basanti.The emotional blackmail scene by Veeru (played by Dharmendra)of the entire village.The attack on the goods train in the beginning of the movie.There are so many anecdotes one can remember about the this movie.I am in love with this flick.The pity is it no longer comes to decent cinemas in my area for reruns.Otherwise you can safely bet that I will be found there to see it again.The denouement of the flick is very touching.By now everyone must be knowing what happens in the end, even those who have not seen it.See it even if you do not understand a word of Hindi.I am sure this movie will not need any kind of interpretation.Everyone will be able to identify with it.See it in this life time if you have not done so.