More than five decades after its original release, Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi’s Pakeezah is set to return to the big screen in a new 4K restorationHere’s what we know about its international premiere.
Published: September 3, 2026, 9:27 AM IST
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Meena Kumari’s Pakeezah (PC: Instagram)
Meena Kumari’s Pakeezah is getting a new lease of life, and this time, the timeless classic is heading to some of the world’s biggest film festivalsMore than five decades after its release, Kamal Amrohi’s iconic film has been restored in 4K, bringing its much-loved visuals and Meena Kumari’s unforgettable performance back to the big screen. The non-profit Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) spearheaded the restoration, spending two years bringing the Kamal Amrohi-directed classic back to its original form. The restored version is now set to make a special journey overseas, giving audiences a chance to revisit one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated classics in a whole new way.
Meena Kumari’s Pakeezah gets a 4K restoration
Some films simply refuse to fade away, and Meena Kumari’s Pakeezah is one of themThe 1972 classic, directed by Kamal Amrohi, continues to hold a special place in Hindi cinema, thanks to its music, grand visuals and Meena Kumari’s unforgettable performanceNow, more than five decades after the film first reached theatres, it is getting a fresh lease of life.
The Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), in association with the Amrohi family, has spent two years restoring Pakeezah in 4KThe restored version will now take the iconic film to two major international film festivals, giving a new generation of audiences the chance to experience Amrohi’s vision on the big screen
Film Heritage Foundation shared a post on X and wrote, “Film Heritage Foundation is proud to announce that our 4K restoration of the iconic film “Pakeezah”, Kamal Amrohi’s 1972 masterpiece starring the unforgettable Meena Kumari will have its UK Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival this October!!”
Film Heritage Foundation is proud to announce that our 4K restoration of the iconic film “Pakeezah”, Kamal Amrohi’s 1972 masterpiece starring the unforgettable Meena Kumari will have its UK Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival this October!! pic.twitter.com/msOaBxqEvi
— Film Heritage Foundation (@FHF_Official) September 2, 2026
Pakeezah to premiere at Festival Lumière in Lyon and BFI London Film Festival
The restored Pakeezah will have its world premiere at Festival Lumière in Lyon, France, in OctoberThe screening will be led by Thierry Frémaux, the Cannes Film Festival and Festival Lumière chiefThe restoration was far from an easy processAccording to Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation, states, “Restoring Pakeezah has been a long-held dream, and I am so grateful to Bilal Amrohi for being the moving spirit and encouraging the family to support the restoration and bring the film back to lifePakeezah is a film that has been etched in my memory since I was a child when I watched it for the first time with my grandmother in a darkened cinema in Dumraon, BiharThe restoration of Pakeezah took two yearsIt has been one of the most exciting yet one of the most challenging restorations I have worked on.”
After its Lyon premiere, the restored classic will travel to London for a gala screening at the BFI London Film FestivalThe screening will take place at the BFI IMAX and will be presented by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur alongside Kamal Amrohi’s children, Tajdar and Rukhsaar, and grandson Bilal Amrohi.
For Tajdar Amrohi, the London screening carries a particularly emotional connectionHe was present at Pakeezah’s original premiere in 1972 with his father and Meena KumariHe recalled how the film cans arrived at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir in a palanquin. Now, 54 years later, he is set to present the restored version of the same film with his family in London.
About Pakeezah
Pakeezah is one of the most famous and iconic movies in Indian cinema historyWritten, directed, and produced by Kamal Amrohi, Pakeezah stars Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar, and Ashok KumarIt was released on February 4, 1972Its reputation has grown considerably over the decades, particularly for Meena Kumari’s portrayal of Sahibjaan and its distinctive visual and musical style.
Pakeezah emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, earning Rs 60 million during its theatrical run of more than 50 weeks.
