"SHOLAY" is the story of a retired police officer who, while in service, was obsessed by his dedication to duty, to bring about the rule of law in a region terrorised by a gang of ruth-less dacoits led by Gabbar. After his retirement, too, Thakur Baldev Singh, saddened and enraged by the massacre of his family members at the hands of Gabbar and his gang, takes a vow to even the score with the maniac killer and crush Gabbar under his boots. Thakur Baldev Singh seeks the help of two adventurers. VEERU and JAI. The two of them were vagrants, vagabonds, always on the wrong side of law. The only home they ever had known was a jail, the only relative or a friend they ever had was each other. In and out of jail, they fought and blasted their way through life, living on their wits and guts. But they were golden hearted souls, too - and once they had saved the life of Thakur Baldev Singh from Gabbar and his gang. Now Thakur turns to the same pair of small-time adventurer-crooks to bring Gabbar to book. He offers them a large sum of money in addition to the Government reward for capturing Gabbar. Veeru and Jai agree to help Thakur in this dangerous mission, They go to Thakur's village which still is the main target of Gabbar's attack. Veeru meets the charming village tonga driver Basanti, and falls in love with her while Jai is drawn to Radha, the widowed daughter-in-law of Thakur Baldev Singh. The dawn of love in their lives, the affection and trust of the villagers, the confidence placed in them by Thakur Baldev Singh and the realisation that for the first time they were not on the wrong side of law but helping to catch these killers. who were challenging the forces of law, brought a softening about and a welcome change in the personalities of the two gay adventurer friends. Even as the battle with Gabbar and his gang of sadist killers began to hot up and the first flames of violence blazed across the horizon, Jai turned to his friend one day and said: "VEERU"--- if violence could force us to take to the guns, may be the new found love in our lives could also send us to the field, to the plough and live a life of peace at last. But it proved to be only a dream for - Gabbar beheaded a village lad as a warning. kidnapped Basanti, captured Veeru, till Jai came riding to seek revenge. The gunfire fills the rocky region - but for the last time. It is a battle of life and death. It is the time for the Thakur to fullfill his vow and finish for ever those killers who for years had played havoc with people's lives, honour and dignity. It is time for Veeru to turn a new page in life and to discover the happiness of a lawful existence, with the inspiring love of Basanti by his side. "SHOLAY" is the movie that narrates the transformation of two courageous adventurers who ultimately throw in their lot with the law-abiding people. It depicts the utter worthlessness of violence as a way of life, but at the same time it is also the story of a village community who realize that non-violence does not mean cowardice and to stand up to terror and lawless killers is the duty of every brave citizen of India.