MUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - Bollywood director Ram Gopal Varma's controversial remake of the cult 1975 film "Sholay" has opened to a mixed response from audiences, who said they found it hard to relate to the contemporary version of the original.

"Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag", was released late on Friday. It has almost the same storyline as "Sholay" which told the story of two reformed crooks who save a village from a bloodthirsty bandit.

In Varma's movie, the two men arrive in Mumbai in search of a job and unknowingly begin working for a gangster.

They get arrested and are then recruited by a former policeman to catch the city's most notorious criminal.

The strong characters in "Sholay" became cinematic legends. The movie was such a success that it ran in cinemas for years and became arguably one of Bollywood's greatest-ever films.

Varma's version lacks the script of the original, but there are hints of the old movie in its music.

The film, which opened to average bookings, failed to impressed many.

"His (Varma's) remake is not as half as good as the original," said Nishant Singh, a college student. "It has got a poor cast."

For many, the only striking thing in the remake is top Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan's portrayal of the foul-mouthed bandit, Gabbar Singh.

Bachchan's evil appearance and portrayal of the neurotic and merciless villain was received well.

"Amitabh is the best thing in the movie," said Ruchi Malhotra after watching the film.

"He has really done a great job of playing the role of Gabbar. He is in fact the only one who stands out in the entire movie."