New Delhi, Delhi, 3rd of June 2026 : In a monumental stride towards preserving and globally promoting India’s rich cinematic heritage, the National Film Development Corporation – National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI), operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), has successfully restored legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak’s entire feature filmography in 4K. To commemorate the visionary director’s birth centenary, NFDC-NFAI has partnered with the British Film Institute (BFI) to present a landmark retrospective at the prestigious BFI Southbank in London, commencing in June 2026. This comprehensive showcase will allow international audiences to experience Ghatak’s radical storytelling and profound aesthetic vision in its ultimate, pristine visual form.
The restoration project of the films of Ghatak is one of the most commendable works of National Film Heritage. Speaking on the institutional significance of this international collaboration, Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, NFDC, stated, “India possesses one of the most vibrant cinematic legacies in the world, and the NFDC-NFAI is mandated to restore and preserve these assets to the highest global standards under the NFHM. As we mark the birth centenary of Shri Ritwik Ghatak, we are pleased to collaborate with the BFI for this retrospective in London. It provides an excellent platform for the global film community to experience Shri Ghatak’s brilliance and witness the caliber of India’s archival achievements firsthand.”
This massive archival triumph was executed under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), which is MIB’s flagship initiative dedicated to the safeguarding of the nation’s audiovisual legacy. The meticulous 4K restorations were achieved by utilizing various original film elements that have been carefully preserved over decades by the NFDC-NFAI, alongside invaluable resources from the West Bengal State Film Archive. To ensure visual authenticity and strict adherence to the maestro’s original cinematic vision, the color grading process was directly supervised by the National Award-winning Indian cinematographer Shri Avik Mukhopadhyay, who lauded the NFHM restoration project, said “I am really proud and enthralled to be part of Ghatak restoration as he is one of the most original filmmaker nationally and internationally. As a Cinematographer, it offered me a scope to watch his beautiful craft closely. I really thank the whole team for such a painstaking but wonderful effort.”
The London retrospective will provide an opportunity to engage with Ghatak’s creative universe across multiple periods of his illustrious career. The expansive programme features the newly restored 4K presentations of his eight seminal narrative features, namely Nagarik, Ajantrik, Bari Thekey Paliye, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Komal Gandhar, Subarnarekha, Titas Ekti Nadir Naam, and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo. Complementing these masterpieces, the showcase will also screen his historically significant shorter format works, documentaries, and rare incomplete work, including Bihar Ke Darshaniya Sthan, Musafir, Fear, Rendezvous, Nagarik Sanrakshan, Scientists of Tomorrow, Yeh Kyun, My Lenin, Puruliar Chhau, Durbar Gati Padma, Heerer Prajapati, Chinnamul, Ramkinkar Baij, Rounger Golam, and Bagalar Banga Darshan.
This partnership between NFDC-NFAI and the BFI strongly reinforces the continued commitment to restore India’s cinematic assets to world-class standards. By championing such extensive restorative and promotional initiatives under the National Film Heritage Mission, the Government of India ensures that these masterpieces will transcend geographical boundaries and continue to inspire global audiences for decades to come.
About (NFDC–NFAI)
The National Film Development Corporation–National Film Archive of India (NFDC–NFAI) is India’s premier institution dedicated to preserving, documenting, and promoting the nation’s cinematic heritage. It aims to trace, acquire, preserve, and restore films of historical, cultural and artistic significance for future generations while also maintaining a representative collection of world cinema.
A member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) since 1969, NFDC–NFAI serves as a key repository of India’s film history. Its Research and Documentation Section houses an extensive collection of film-related materials, including over 2 lakh photographs, 40,000 film posters, 24,000 song booklets, and 2.28 lakh press clippings, much of which has been digitized for preservation and research purposes.
About National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM)
To strengthen film preservation efforts, the Government of India launched the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) in 2015. Under this mission, NFDC–NFAI undertakes 2K and 4K digitization and restoration of landmark Indian films, conducts condition assessments of film reels, develops archival vaults, and builds institutional capacity through training and workshops.
Through these initiatives, NFDC–NFAI plays a vital role in safeguarding India’s rich cinematic legacy and ensuring that classic films remain accessible to present and future generations.
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