Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy paid an emotional tribute to the late actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, expressing, “We are missing him.” Speaking to the media at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Sippy reflected, “It is very unfortunate, there are no words to express this. We had hoped he would celebrate 50 years of Sholay, but he had been unwell for the past month or two… We miss him deeply.”

The festival turned nostalgic as Sippy revisited the enduring legacy of Sholay during an 'In-Conversation' session titled 50 Years of Sholay: Why Sholay Still Resonates?, hosted by his wife, actor-producer Kiran Sippy. During the session, he shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes highlighting Dharmendra’s dedication, humility, and passion, which shaped some of the most memorable moments of the film.

Getting emotional over his long association with Dharmendra, Sippy recalled a dramatic moment from the shoot when the actor fell during a horse-riding action sequence. “My heart stopped for a moment,” he said, “but Dharam ji simply stood up, dusted himself off, and was ready to go again. He always pushed himself and embraced challenges.”

Sippy also revealed an exciting update for cinephiles: the re-release of Sholay with its original ending restored. When the film first came out in 1975 during the Emergency, the censor board objected to the climax where Thakur Baldev Singh kills Gabbar Singh with his spiked shoes, claiming a police officer could not be shown seeking revenge. “Now audiences will see the film as it was originally made,” Sippy shared, expressing his delight at reclaiming his creative vision. To mark the 50-year milestone, IFFI displayed the iconic Sholay motorbike at the festival grounds, attracting crowds eager to relive the world created by Dharmendra and Ramesh Sippy.