Mumbai , June 9 : Prasad Corporation has successfully completed the 4K restoration of 16 films by legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, comprising eight feature films and eight short films, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation and the National Film Archive of India . The restoration has enabled a landmark international showcase of the filmmaker’s work during his birth centenary year.
The restored films are currently being presented as part of a month-long retrospective at BFI Southbank in London and will also be screened at Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, Italy, one of the world’s most respected festivals dedicated to restored and classic cinema. Together, these screenings represent one of the most comprehensive international presentations of Ghatak’s work in recent years and reaffirm his enduring influence on world cinema.
Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest filmmakers, Ritwik Ghatak’s body of work has inspired generations of filmmakers, scholars and cinephiles across the world. Iconic works such as Meghe Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, Ajantrik and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo continue to be celebrated for their artistic vision, social commentary and cinematic innovation. The restoration of these films marks an important step in preserving and promoting India’s rich cinematic heritage for global audiences.
Undertaken by Prasad Corporation’s specialist restoration teams, the project involved meticulous frame-by-frame image restoration as the scanned film elements exhibited numerous defects, including reduced image details due to generation loss, along with dust, dirt, scratches, bumps, warping, splices, flicker, black frames, film tears, frame jumps, vertical banding, tape marks, chemical stains, emulsion damage, soft focus, wobbling and image instability. All these defects were addressed to the best possible extent, in accordance with archival standards. Post this, these films were put through a meticulous colour grading process before mastering and a final quality check.
The restoration effort has received appreciation from archival and film preservation professionals associated with the international screenings, who have acknowledged the quality, care and attention invested in bringing these historically significant films back to audiences. The NFDC–NFAI team has also recognised the dedication with which the project was executed, highlighting Prasad Corporation’s commitment to achieving the highest restoration standards for each title.
Commenting on the achievement, Abhishek Prasad, Director & CTO, Prasad Corporation, said:
“Ritwik Ghatak’s films occupy a unique place in world cinema, and preserving them for future generations is both a privilege and a responsibility. Restoring a collection that spans black-and-white and colour films made between 1952 and 1975. Required far more than technology; it demanded historical research, artistic sensitivity and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Our teams worked across restoration, grading, audio, mastering, data management and archival workflows to ensure these films could be experienced as faithfully as possible. We are honoured to see these restored films presented at prestigious international platforms such as BFI Southbank and Il Cinema Ritrovato, helping introduce Ghatak’s extraordinary legacy to new audiences around the world.”
The successful restoration of the Ritwik Ghatak collection further reinforces Prasad Corporation’s position as one of the world’s leading film restoration and preservation companies. Through its work with film archives, studios, filmmakers and cultural institutions, the company continues to play a significant role in safeguarding cinematic heritage and making historically important films accessible to contemporary audiences.
As global interest in film restoration continues to grow, the presentation of Ritwik Ghatak’s restored works at leading international venues underscores the increasing recognition of India’s archival and restoration capabilities on the world stage.