GOA: Can an old motorcycle bring back memories, smiles, and tears all at once? At the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, the answer is yes.
The iconic 1942 BSA WM20—the very bike on which Jai and Veeru rode through Ramgarh in Sholay, singing the immortal “Yeh Dosti”—is currently on display at the festival. What began as a nostalgic celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary has taken on an unexpectedly emotional turn following the passing of legendary actor Dharmendra on Monday, November 24.
The motorcycle, preserved inside a glass enclosure since the opening day of IFFI, has become more than just a crowd attraction. Visitors don’t simply walk past it; they slow down, pause, and look at it with a quiet reverence. They take photographs, but they also stand silently—almost as if sharing a moment with a memory. What was once a beloved film prop is now something else entirely: a tangible reminder of Jai and Veeru, of a movie that shaped generations, and of a star who is no longer with us.
No official tribute was planned around the display. But the tribute created itself. Festival-goers say that the mood around the bike changed instantly after news of Dharmendra’s death. Earlier, it evoked nostalgia; now, it evokes a sense of loss. The familiar gleam of the bike under the lights feels heavier than before—almost sacred.
Bearing the registration number MYB 3047, the motorcycle stands polished and untouched, just as it has for decades. It is the same machine that carried the spirit of friendship to millions of hearts. Today, without Dharmendra, it feels like a relic from a time that will never return.
Sholay, which completed 50 years in August this year, remains one of Indian cinema’s greatest milestones. Dharmendra’s charming and fearless Veeru, Amitabh Bachchan’s quiet and loyal Jai, and the unbreakable bond between them became etched into the cultural fabric of the nation. For many, that friendship started with this very bike.
At IFFI 2025, the motorcycle doesn’t speak—but every visitor feels its story.
