Pakeezah 4K restoration set for world premiere in Lyon

The 4K restored version of the 1972 classic film Pakeezah is scheduled for its world premiere at the Festival Lumiere in Lyon, France. The restoration was a two-year project undertaken by the Film Heritage Foundation to preserve the cinematic legacy of the film, which features actress Meena Kumari.

Following the premiere in Lyon, the film will be showcased at the BFI London Film Festival with a gala screening at the BFI IMAX. The London event is expected to include Film Heritage Foundation director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur and members of Kamal Amrohi’s family, including his children Tajdar and Rukhsaar, and grandson Bilal Amrohi.

Originally conceptualized in the mid-1950s, the production of Pakeezah spanned 15 years and transitioned from black-and-white to Eastmancolor. The restoration process involved extensive research, including the use of original film stills to ensure the film returns to its original visual splendor.