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Mumbai: Few movies have left a mark on Indian cinema like Sholay. Released in 1975, this classic directed by Ramesh Sippy is not just a film—it’s a phenomenon. Despite being initially labeled a flop, Sholay went on to sell an astounding 25 crore tickets, making it the most-watched Indian movie of all time. When Sholay hit the theaters, expectations were sky-high. It had a stellar cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, and Amjad Khan as the iconic Gabbar Singh. However, the film opened slowly, and many critics dismissed it as a failure. But as word spread, audiences flocked to the cinemas, drawn by the gripping story, memorable characters, and unforgettable dialogues like “Kitne aadmi the?” In its six-year theatrical run, the film sold 15 crore tickets in India. Re-releases over the years added another 3 crore tickets domestically. Internationally, Sholay found immense success, especially in the Soviet Union, where it sold 6 crore tickets. Its appeal in Europe, North America, and the Middle East added another crore, taking its total to 25 crore tickets. Even by today’s standards, this record remains unmatched. Modern hits like Baahubali 2 and RRR have achieved global success, but their ticket sales don’t come close to Sholay’s. The film’s legacy endures nearly five decades later, with its characters, dialogues, and music remaining beloved by fans across generations. Sholay isn’t just a movie—it’s a cultural milestone, proving that great storytelling always stands the test of time.PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”
Dear Penny: What short-term investments should I make if I need cash quick?Speaker schedules opposition motions after Tories opt against own non-confidence voteAn Israeli American soldier thought to have been by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack instead was killed that day, the nation's defense minister said Monday. Omer Neutra, 21, a tank platoon commander in the Israeli military, died in battle in Nir Oz, a kibbutz stormed by militants, Israel Katz said in a post on X. Katz did not say how the military made the determination, reports. "Omer's life story and dedication represent the best and strongest we have built as a nation," the defense minister wrote. His family had released a statement on Thanksgiving saying: "Our holiday table is empty a second year in a row. Omer is not there." Hamas has not turned over Neutra's body, Israel said, per the . He grew up near New York City and emigrated to Israel, becoming a tank platoon commander while doing his military service. His parents, Orna and Ronen Neutra, have campaigned publicly for the release of their son and the 100 or so other hostages Hamas is still holding, though many of them could be dead by now. Hamas' terror attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people by the government's count. "We are private and not very political, and yet we find ourselves caught up in the middle of the most controversial geopolitical war in decades," Orna Neutra wrote in an oped for the this summer. "Our life as we knew it, is gone." (More stories.)
Trump’s Appointee for Social Security Raises Fears of Austerity and CutsCHRISTMAS may just be around the corner but the cold weather is set to stay for at least another couple of months. And if you want to keep warm without spending a tonne on your energy bills then you better keep reading. 2 The HEATTECH Fleece Crew Neck T-Shirt is a favourite with customers keeping toasty this winter Credit: UNiqlo 2 If you want to get them for a bargain price you need to be quick Credit: UNiqlo Adding layers to your clothes can help keep you warm, and doing it with thermals will ensure you stay toasty. Thankfully, Uniqlo has come to the rescue with their thermal tops which come in size colours - white, black, olive, pink , navy and cream. Not only have they been rated an average of five stars by happy customers they are also on sale. The Japanese high street brand has slashed the price of its popular thermal fleece top from £19.90 down to £14.90. READ MORE ON FASHION PANTS IDEA Fashion fan shares ‘superman’ hack to ensure your tights never fall down again DANCING SHOES Shoppers rush to buy ‘fabulous’ M&S Christmas party shoes It is designed with technology to lock heat in, so it's ideal for wearing as a layering piece, or alone as a long-sleeved top. The sizing range is very inclusive going from a XXS to an XXL to suit any body shape. Plus, as stated the thermals are currently on sale through their online shop but you better be quick. The sale will end tonight so it's worth stocking up on the winter warmers now. Most read in Fabulous WELL ACTUALLY... The 6 plot holes that ruin Love Actually & Hugh Grant's issue with his arc MYSTIC MEG In love? A circular gift can come back around – to you LUSH Joanna Page on Gavin & Stacey's finale, James Corden & THAT naked Love Actually scene KIDDING ME I spent hundreds on my boyfriend’s Christmas gift - folk think I’m over the top Those who have bought the thermals have raved about how cosy they are in the reviews - giving the tops an average five stars out of five. One person wrote: "This item was definitely my favourite purchase this winter. Primark shoppers are going wild for the £18 ‘best purchase’ they’ve ever made to keep you ‘super warm’ while it’s freezing - and you won’t need extra layers "It's amazing to wear as a layer and keeps me really warm during the coldest winter nights, even while I'm outside for a long period of time, it really encapsulates the warmth. Would highly recommend!" Another commented: "'This thermal keeps me so warm, especially when I am on my bike. I wear it underneath jumpers and with a light jacket on top and it’s perfect.'' "This crew neck shirt is just perfect for winter, it will keep you warm and it’s not bulky if you wear if underneath your outfit!" penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "Loose but not oversized. Warm and very soft. Extremely comfortable to wear." How does thermal clothing keep you warm? Thermal clothing keeps you warm by trapping air near your body and preventing heat loss. It's made from materials like polyester, merino wool, fleece, or down that are good at insulating and wicking away moisture. Trapping air The fabric creates a layer of insulation by trapping air, which is a poor conductor of heat. This prevents heat from escaping through conduction, convection, and radiation. Wicking away moisture Thermal clothing is breathable and absorbs sweat from your skin, which helps prevent you from getting damp and cold. Regulating body temperature Thermal clothing keeps you warm in cold weather, but it's also breathable enough to prevent overheating during physical activity. Design features Some thermal clothing has panels or zones that provide extra warmth to areas like your chest, back, and knees "Keeps you warm and top quality. We want to have it in several colours,” claimed a fifth. Someone else added: “So fluffy, soft and comfy, great quality and very very warm. Perfect for layering." Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line .