1. Initial Title: The film was initially titled "Gabbar" after the iconic character Gabbar Singh. However, the title was changed to "Sholay" during the production.

2. Influence from "The Magnificent Seven": "Sholay" was heavily influenced by the Hollywood classic "The Magnificent Seven," which was itself based on Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai."

3. Longest Running Film: "Sholay" holds the record for being the longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema, with an uninterrupted run for over five years at the Minerva Theatre in Mumbai.

4. Amjad Khan's Debut: "Sholay" marked the debut of Amjad Khan, who played the iconic role of Gabbar Singh. He initially struggled to get the role due to his unconventional looks.

5. Alternate Cast: Dharmendra was initially offered the role of Thakur, which was eventually played by Sanjeev Kumar. Amitabh Bachchan was considered for the role of Jai, but he ended up playing Veeru.

6. The Role of Basanti: Hema Malini was not the first choice for the role of Basanti. It was originally offered to Parveen Babi, but she declined.

7. Helen's Appearance: Helen, the famous dancer, made a special appearance in the song "Mehbooba Mehbooba," which became a hit.

8. Dialogue Writers: Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan, known as Salim-Javed, wrote the iconic dialogues of the film. They became one of the most renowned scriptwriting duos in Indian cinema.

9. Real Bullets: The filmmakers used real bullets during the shooting of the film's action scenes, which was a dangerous practice.

10. R.D. Burman's Music: The music for the film was composed by R.D. Burman. The film's background score was done by his father, S.D. Burman.

11. Curse on the Film: During the film's shoot, there were several accidents and setbacks, which led to some considering the film to be "cursed." Nevertheless, it went on to become a massive success.

12. Controversy: There was a controversy surrounding the song "Mehbooba Mehbooba." It was accused of being a rip-off of a foreign song. However, the matter was settled amicably.

13. Impact on Indian Culture: "Sholay" had a significant impact on Indian culture, with its characters, dialogues, and scenes becoming part of popular culture.

14. Awards: "Sholay" won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment in 1976.

15. Re-Releases: The film has been re-released several times over the years, both in its original and 3D formats, making it a timeless classic.

"Sholay" remains a cultural phenomenon, and its characters and dialogues continue to be celebrated by audiences of all generations. It's not just a film; it's a piece of Indian cinematic history.