Pakeezah's UK Debut: A Restored Classic Returns

Kamal Amrohi's iconic 1972 Hindi film, Pakeezah, was presented in a new 4K restoration, marking its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 18, 2026. The film was selected as the closing gala screening at the BFI IMAX, the nation's largest cinema screen, with tickets selling out rapidly.

The event brought together key figures, including Film Heritage Foundation director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur and Kamal Amrohi's children, Tajdar and Rukhsaar Amrohi, for a discussion. The filmmaker's grandson, Bilal Amrohi, who collaborated on the restoration, was also present.

Dungarpur shared his deep personal connection to Pakeezah, having seen it as a child. He revealed his ambition to restore the film, which has been a dream since he founded the Film Heritage Foundation in 2014. The restoration process spanned two years and faced significant challenges.

Original camera negatives were unavailable, and the surviving film material was in poor condition, further complicated by audio issues. Despite these hurdles, Dungarpur was committed to preserving Amrohi's artistic vision and thanked the BFI for the international platform.

The filmmaker's children expressed the emotional significance of the restoration. Tajdar Amrohi likened the revival of the film's negative to bringing something lost back to life, referencing his stepmother Meena Kumari's coma before her passing. Rukhsaar Amrohi hailed Pakeezah as a wonder created by her father, deserving eternal remembrance.

This premiere highlights a successful year for the Film Heritage Foundation, which has showcased restored Indian cinema globally. Other selections include "In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones" at the Berlin International Film Festival, "Amma Ariyan" at Cannes, and "English, August" at Venice.