Mumbai, Aug. 8 -- 'Sholay', released on 15 August 1975, is still counted among the most memorable films of Indian cinema. Starring actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini and Amjad Khan, this film created new meanings of friendship, action and villains. But very few people know that the period of emergency had directly influenced 'Sholay' as well - especially its climax.

On 25 June 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed an emergency in the country under Article 352. It lasted for 21 months and during this time strict censorship rules were imposed on the film industry. Blood stains, liquor bottles, even the number and duration of action scenes were banned. In such an environment, the team of 'Shol...