Sholay is an iconic movie for a lot of reasons: iconic characters, an engrossing story, epic lines… just a highly watchable movie. Apart from its entertainment value, the Sholay teaches us some valuable life lessons as well… not just that friendships and loyalty are important, but much else besides:
Sometimes the truth is unpleasant, but there is no avoiding it, as the tearjerker scene of Ahmed's death taught us. Silence can be tantamount to lying.
Once a friend, always a friend. To tweak the lines of the bard, Friendship is not friendship / Which alters when it alteration finds. It is an ever-fixed mark: through songs sung in side-cars, burglaries, stints in prison, finishing off baddies and then making the ultimate sacrifice for a lifelong buddy with a fixed coin toss.
Veeru pretending to teach Basanti how to shoot, ‘persuading’ her by using divine intervention, and contentedly listening to her prattle… it’s all allowed when it’s true (presumably) love!
Some would call it coercion or blackmail – a more indulgent person would call it negotiation when Veeru threatened suicide unless he was united with the love of his life.
…Even if it means standing up to those in positions of power and authority. Question the mighty, stand up for your rights (except when you're in jail for crimes you’ve actually committed).
Working together and putting up a united front can help overcome adversaries and adversity! So what if someone is handicapped; with the right mindset and team, it is possible to achieve even lofty goals!
Don’t let circumstances cow you; don’t give in to pressure and compromise in a difficult situation. In other words don’t dance before the dogs or इन कुत्तो के सामने मत नाचना बसंती… Even if said dogs threaten the life and wellbeing of the love of our life.
Festivals and celebrations are important for the community; for its cohesion, unity and wellbeing.
The tradition that frowns of widow remarriage is clearly one that needs to end. Sholay made a statement about the desolate lives that widows are expected to lead, but stopped short of making a bolder statement like the depiction of actual widow remarriage.
All work and no play makes Jack and Jill very dull children. So make time for yourself and the things that you enjoy doing. Party and let your hair down once in a while!
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