The production itself had taken almost 15 years to complete
Meena Kumari’s iconic 1972 film Pakeezah is returning to the big screen in a newly restored 4K version at the BFI London Film Festival.
The Kamal Amrohi-directed classic will receive a gala screening at the BFI IMAX following its world premiere at the Festival Lumière in Lyon, France.
The restoration has been carried out by the Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the Amrohi family, following two years of work to preserve the landmark film.
It uses surviving 35mm film materials, archival references and memories from members of Amrohi’s family to recreate the film’s original visual appearance.
Pakeezah stars Meena Kumari as Sahibjaan, a courtesan whose life is shaped by love, family and social expectations.
The film also features Ashok Kumar and Raaj Kumar and is known for its elaborate sets, music and distinctive visual style.
Released in February 1972, Pakeezah was Meena Kumari’s final completed film and was released just weeks before her death in March that year.
The production itself had taken almost 15 years to complete, beginning in the 1950s before facing numerous interruptions.
The restoration team faced significant challenges because the original camera negative had deteriorated and could not be used.
Instead, the Film Heritage Foundation worked with surviving film elements, including an interpositive, a CinemaScope print and a colour reversal internegative preserved by the NFDC-National Film Archive of India.
Original film stills were also consulted to help establish the colours and details of the restored version.
The restoration was completed at the L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in association with Bilal Amrohi of Lionheart Cinema.
It also features a restored 5.1 sound mix, with the film running for 153 minutes.
The London screening will be presented by Film Heritage Foundation director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur alongside Kamal Amrohi’s children, Tajdar and Rukhsaar Amrohi, and grandson Bilal Amrohi.
Tajdar Amrohi recalled attending the original 1972 premiere with his father and Meena Kumari.
He said he never imagined that he would return to present the restored film with his family 54 years later.
The BFI describes Pakeezah as one of the last great classical musicals of Indian cinema, highlighting its tragic story, visual style and celebrated soundtrack.
The film’s return also brings one of Hindi cinema’s most recognised classics to a new generation of audiences.
For many viewers, the London screening offers an opportunity to experience Meena Kumari’s performance and Amrohi’s filmmaking on the big screen in a restored presentation.
The 4K restoration is therefore not a remake or re-release with new footage, but an effort to preserve the original film using the material that has survived.
Pakeezah is part of the BFI London Film Festival’s 2026 programme, continuing its journey from its original release more than five decades ago to a new international cinema audience.
