“It was damn hard work, but I loved making ‘Sholay’”

“It was damn hard work, but I loved making ‘Sholay’” – says Director Ramesh Sippy as the film tops Film Companion’s ‘Best Indian Films Forever’ (BIFF) List

Cherishing our love for Indian cinema and its impact on our lives in the most endearing way, Anupama Chopra’s Film Companion announced its first ever ‘Best Indian Films Forever’ (BIFF) List celebrating the 10 greatest Indian films of all time. Compiled with contributions from over 150 cinephiles including filmmakers, actors, technicians, writers, critics and more, the BIFF List has been created from a pool of mainstream and regional films. Topping the list is Ramesh Sippy’s iconic action-adventure film ‘Sholay’ which has completed 48 years of its release. Starring cinema icons Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan and Mac Mohan in key roles, ‘Sholay’ continues to receive immense love from the audiences and is etched in the history of Indian cinema.

Sharing his gratitude for the same, celebrated filmmaker Ramesh Sippy thanked Cinelovers saying, “I don’t know how to say thank you to the entire film industry, all sections of the film industry that voted for this list. I’m extremely honoured to be included in this Top Ten list. I would like to thank everyone who was connected with ‘Sholay’ from the biggest to the smallest person. Everyone contributed. Without any one of them, it would not have been possible. I loved making ‘Sholay’. It was damn hard work, but I loved it and I hope, as I can see it’s in Top Ten, that all of you loved it too. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Film Companion has now opened voting for People’s Edition of #BIFFList2023, calling in the audiences to vote for their favourite films.