‘BlockBustin' pays homage to Sholay (1975), one of Amitabh Bachchan’s most iconic films. A multiple Filmfare Award winner, Sholay redefined Indian cinema and continues to reign as one of Bollywood’s greatest blockbusters. In her signature maximalist visual language and pop colours, Bhatt distills the film’s larger-than-life energy into a riotous composition of bold colors, layered imagery, and cultural iconography. 

At the heart of the painting is the unforgettable trio—Amitabh Bachchan as the brooding yet charismatic Jai, Dharmendra as the lovable rogue Veeru, and Hema Malini as the vivacious and fearless Basanti. Their legendary camaraderie, filled with humor, action, and emotion, set the gold standard for storytelling in mainstream Indian cinema. Bhatt employs pop colours and a maximalist visual language to represent what is termed in India as the ‘masala’ (spice) movies.

The vibrant colour reflects the high-octane entertainment that Sholay delivered, while the inclusion of the iconic Filmfare trophy serves as a nod to its critical acclaim. The dynamic film reels, cinema tickets, and starbursts reinforce the blockbuster phenomenon that Sholay became—running in theaters for over five years and embedding its dialogues, characters, and music into the collective memory of Indian audiences.

Bachchan, revered as Bollywood’s ‘Angry Young Man,’ showcased a restrained intensity in Jai, a role that added to his legendary status. Dharmendra’s Veeru was the perfect camaraderie—charming, impulsive, and deeply endearing. Hema Malini’s Basanti, with her infectious energy and unforgettable dialogue delivery, became an icon in her own right. Together, they created an unparalleled cinematic experience translating the magic of the Indian Cinema onto the canvas—the larger-than-life spectacle, the thrill of a packed cinema hall, and the timeless allure of Bollywood’s golden era. It is an ode to nostalgia, to storytelling, and to the unbreakable bond between cinema and its audience.