Jaipur (Rajasthan), March 9: The 25th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2025 marked a monumental occasion by commemorating the 50th anniversary of the iconic film Sholay with a special screening at Jaipur’s prestigious Rajmandir Cinema on Sunday. The event was attended by Bollywood legends and prominent film industry personalities, all gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy of the action-packed drama.
Devendra Surana, son of Rajmandir Cinema’s founder, expressed his pride in hosting the screening. “It is a matter of pride for us that Sholay was released here. It is an evergreen hit film. All this is possible only because of IIFA. This is a memorable day for us,” he said.
Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, the director of Sholay, also shared his thoughts on the grand occasion. “The 25 years of International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) are as important today as the 50 years of Sholay. Together, we had a wonderful start last night, and it will continue not just tonight but on and on,” he said.
Sholay, released on August 15, 1975, is widely regarded as one of Indian cinema’s greatest films. The action-packed drama, which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and Amjad Khan, became a cultural phenomenon. Its unforgettable characters, dialogues, and music have made it an enduring classic even after five decades.
The IIFA 2025 festivities are currently underway in Jaipur, with the grand IIFA Awards Night set to take place on March 9. The night will feature a special celebration of Sholay’s 50th anniversary, with the exclusive screening at Raj Mandir Cinema.
The event will also feature legendary MMA fighter Anthony Pettis as a special guest, while Kartik Aaryan will host the IIFA Awards. Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan will perform at the 25th edition of IIFA and will pay tribute to her grandfather, the legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor.