Throughout the history of the film industry, audiences have been infatuated with action movies. Among the thousands created, a select few stand out as ultimate classics.

In 2025, Collider ranked the 75 best action films, compiling a list of the greatest movies ever made in the genre. Ranked among blockbuster hits such as Steven Spielberg‘s 1984 film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at No. 65 and Robert Aldrich’s 1967 film, The Dirty Dozen at No. 67, Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 Bollywood hit, Sholay, secured the No. 66 spot.

Released in India on August 15, 1975, Sholay became a legendary fixture in India’s cinematic history. While the movie initially had a slow start during its first few weeks, word of mouth traveled fast and the film quickly transitioned from a flop to a major box office success.

Sholay was recognized as the highest-grossing film of 1975, earning a 500% profit over its budget. Its record-breaking success and undeniable influence allowed for a theatrical run of over five and a half years at the Minerva Theatre in Mumbai, marking one of the longest continuous theatrical runs in India’s history.

The 1975 action blockbuster was a landmark entry in the Indian Western genre. The movie follows two outlaws, Jai and Veeru, who are hired by a revenge-seeking police officer, Thakur Baldev Singh, to capture a merciless criminal named Gabbar Singh. Gabbar had previously terrorized Thakur’s family and cut off his arms in a tragic act of cruelty. Sholay captures an epic journey, highlighting themes of friendship and loyalty through an action-packed plot.

After capturing Gabbar, Jai and Veeru hand him over to officer Thakur, who arrests him for his reign of terror. Despite the illusion of a picture-perfect ending, the film was intended to end significantly more violent. In the original script, Thakur was written to achieve his revenge by killing Gabbar in a violent rage. However, the Censor Board requested that the scene be changed to appeal to a wider audience and adhere to contemporary regulations.

Sholay was not just a commercial triumph, it was also a pioneering force in Bollywood. The film transformed Hindi cinema, blending intricate character dynamics, engaging romances and show-stopping action sequences to create universal appeal. Its lasting relevance in the action genre and the Indian film industry solidified it as a cornerstone of global cinema.

Related: 1961 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time’

This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.