Rekha, Muzaffar Ali’s Indian Classic ‘Umrao Jaan’ Returns in 4K Restoration – Global Bulletin

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TIMELESS TREASURE

The largest movie theater chain in India, PVR Inox, is set to reintroduce the 1981 classic “Umrao Jaan,” directed by Muzaffar Ali and starring Rekha, back to Indian cinemas from June 27. This film, which earned Rekha an Indian National Film Award for her portrayal of a courtesan-poetess in 19th-century Lucknow, has been beautifully restored by the National Film Development Corporation-National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission.

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the meticulous restoration of this cinematic gem, overseen by director Ali himself. He worked tirelessly from a 35mm release print kept safe at the National Film Archive of India, as the original negatives were simply too brittle. To add to the excitement, Ali is planning to unveil an exclusive, limited-edition coffee table book, filled with captivating behind-the-scenes snapshots and precious production documents.

Ali mused that ‘Umrao Jaan’ wasn’t merely a movie; it was an exploration deep into the heart of a vanished civilization.” And Rekha shared her feelings, saying the character is not just with her, but animates and resonates within her still.

The re-screening is a component of PVR Inox’s Timeless Classics program, honoring iconic films from Indian cinema history.

STUDIO SURGE

Nippon TV has established Gyokuro Studio in Tokyo and the Nippon TV LA Business Office to speed up international growth. The Tokyo-based Gyokuro Studio, under the leadership of Kenichiro Akiyama, is targeting the creation of 10 unscripted shows each year, aiming to reach a total of 100 titles over a decade through worldwide collaboration with top creative minds and production companies. Concurrently, Tom Miyauchi will manage the Los Angeles office, concentrating on content sales in North America and Latin America, distribution of intellectual properties, and forging local production alliances. The influential Japanese entertainment conglomerate, owning almost 90% of its content IP and operating Hulu Japan, aspires to establish a lasting global presence beyond the success of its Emmy-winning “Dragons’ Den”/”Shark Tank” format.

TURTLE TALE

The acclaimed Indian documentary, titled “Turtle Walker,” directed by Taira Malaney, will be showcased at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, from June 9th to 13th. This production, a collaboration between Tiger Baby, Emaho Films, and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, chronicles the adventures of sea turtle conservationist Satish Bhaskar during his travels along India’s coastlines in the late 1970s. The film was honored with the Grand Teton Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards and had its premiere at Doc NYC in November 2024. As Zoya Akhtar, the producer, stated, “Turtle Walker” is a quintessential Indian tale centered around our nation’s wildlife. This international co-production seeks to stimulate marine conservation efforts worldwide.

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2025-06-02 14:46