Raj and Heero have about as much impact as the inert scenery. Whatever possessed Ramu to cast a personality-less newcomer in Amitabh's iconic role? And whatever possessed Ajay to take this on? Sushmita appears as artificial as her chalky white make-up: Jaya Bachchan, in her brief cameo, had inhabited Sholay as much as the others. Nisha as the garrulous Basanti is a bad joke. So is Urmila Matondkar, who reprises Helen in Mehbooba: Ms M is certainly a ‘booba’, and not much else.

Only Amitabh has heft. As Babban, scar decorating the bridge of his nose, he looks good at being bad. But in no scene, even the one in which he is busy slicing off Mohanlal's fingers, is he feral, the quality that made Amjad immortal. And Sholay the movie it was.

Go back. Dig out the DVD of the original. Watch it.