India, Jan. 2 -- Towards the end of December, I watched the restored, original version of Sholay at a Delhi theatre.

I hadn't expected to be enthralled, but I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

Like so many millions of us, I have seen Sholay multiple times. I know much of the dialogue by heart. I remember the scenes almost frame by frame. Before watching the film again, I did have some qualms: suppose I was disappointed? I wasn't prepared to have my shining memories of the film tarnished in any way.

I needn't have worried. I sat, enchanted, all through.

I laughed at Veeru's (Dharmendra) antics, at Basanti's (Hema Malini) chatter. I felt uneasy prickles on my skin every time Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) appeared on screen. I cried for ...