Coming Soon: Ramgarh Resort & Spa!

Naach, Basanti, Naach!



Scheduled to open on August 2011,the Ramgarh Resort & Spa will bring Sholay back to life again at Ramnagaram, the now famous location where most of the film was shot. At least that is what a newspaper report by Saritha Rai in The Indian Express says.

Set to be the first resort to be based on a Hindi movie, the Resort & Spa will cover over 6.6 acres of rocky terrain. As Rai informs us - A hostess dressed as Basanti could lead guests in the restaurants Gabbar ka Adda or Thakur ki Haveli. A masseur dressed as Gabbar Singh could give a visitor a soothing massage at the spa, which stands at the spot where a thrilling horse chase was filmed for the movie.

Last heard, the resort owners were searching for a Thakur Baldev Singh look-alike, for the post of the resort manager. Guests would be able to indulge in rappelling, horse-riding and games centred around the movie. 

One hurdle could be the copyright issues, as the Sippy's have always been against the misuse of their brand.

Samba is no more...

Mac Mohan, who played the 'perched high on the rock, I will answer Gabbar's questions' dacoit - the much-celebrated Samba died of cancer on May 10, 2010 at Kokilaben Dhirubhani Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. He was 71.

Born Mohan Makhijaney, Mac Mohan acted in over 175 films, in a career spanning 46 years. But the one role that he will always be remembered for:

Gabbar: Are O Samba kitne inaam rake hai sarkar hum par?

Samba: Poore pachas hazaar! 
Gabbar: Suna! Poore pachaas hazaar!

May another Sholayite rest in peace....

Die-hard Sholay fan stumbles upon 'ORIGINAL SHOLAY'!!

He has seen it. He has got it on DVD. He is the 'chosen one'.

How many of us have heard of the original version of Sholay where Thakur kills Gabbar?

Everybody.

How many of us have seen it?

Nobody...until my friend Veersen Savant alias Spiral Smoke, presently working in Dubai as a sub-editor bought a DVD of this original version. A native of Kolhapur, this die-hard Sholay fan was astounded to say the least.

Here is his reaction: 
"First I was shocked...I never thought I would find the original of this gem of a film in a heap of "on discount" CD's in a mall...I had no idea it was the uncut version...and while watching the film...I realised there is something new...I thought I may have not noticed these scenes earlier...my mind was playing games...but when the climax arrived...but the police didn't...then it dawned on me it was the original uncut version..."

My friend Veeru also informs us of other extended scenes, including the one of Gabbar killing Ahmed. I can't wait to see this version, how can you take it so calmly, dear readers....anybody in Dubai who can pilfer it from Veeru?...before he wraps it in a chain and keeps the DVD in an unbreakable safe, and guards it day and night...I can make an offer you can't refuse...anybody...please...