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Ritwik Ghataks Birth Centenary Celebrated with Restored Films at Il Cinema Ritrovato and BFI Southbank
A century after his birth, Ritwik Ghatak’s voice is echoing again, this time in crystal‑clear sound. Six of the filmmaker’s most celebrated works have been audio‑restored under India’s National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) and are now playing at the 40th‑anniversary edition of Il Cinema Ritrovato in Italy. The same restored titles are also part of a month‑long retrospective at BFI Southbank in London, marking the centenary of the visionary director.
Ghatak (1925‑1976) remains one of India’s most influential auteurs. His films—often set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, refugee displacement, and the struggle to rebuild—have earned both national and international acclaim. Titles such as Meghe Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, Ajantrik, and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo are frequently cited as hallmarks of his cinematic vision.
The NFHM, an initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, seeks to preserve and restore India’s cinematic legacy. The programme is carried out by the National Film Development Corporation–National Film Archive of India (NFDC‑NFAI). Under this framework, Pune‑based Cameo Media Labs was tasked with the audio restoration of the six Ghatak titles.
Cameo Media Labs’ work focused on preserving the original sound characteristics while meeting contemporary international exhibition standards. In a release issued by the company, the process was described as involving meticulous audio cleaning, noise reduction, and dynamic‑range optimisation. “For everyone working in film preservation, seeing these restored classics reach prestigious international platforms is immensely gratifying. Audio restoration is often an invisible craft, but it plays a vital role in preserving the artistic integrity of a film and the original intent of a filmmaker,” said Purab Gujar, co‑founder of Cameo Media Labs.
The six restored films—Meghe Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, Ajantrik, Jukti Takko Aar Gappo, and two additional titles not listed in the release—are being screened at Il Cinema Ritrovato, a festival renowned for showcasing restored and archival cinema. The 40th‑anniversary edition of the festival, held in Italy, highlighted the technical and artistic achievements of film preservation.
At the same time, BFI Southbank in London is hosting a month‑long retrospective of Ghatak’s work as part of the centenary celebrations. The British Film Institute’s programme will give UK audiences access to the restored versions, allowing the filmmaker’s legacy to reach a new generation of viewers.
The NFHM‑backed restoration project underscores the importance of preserving India’s film heritage for future audiences. By restoring the audio tracks to meet international standards, the project ensures that Ghatak’s films can be screened in modern cinemas and on global platforms without compromising their original artistic intent.
As of June 23, 2026, the restored Ghatak titles are available for viewing at Il Cinema Ritrovato and BFI Southbank. The NFHM continues to work on additional restoration projects, and the NFDC‑NFAI plans further releases of other classic Indian films in the coming months. The centenary celebrations, including the festival screenings and the BFI retrospective, highlight the enduring relevance of Ghatak’s work and the ongoing efforts to preserve India’s cinematic history.
Ghatak (1925‑1976) remains one of India’s most influential auteurs. His films—often set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, refugee displacement, and the struggle to rebuild—have earned both national and international acclaim. Titles such as Meghe Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, Ajantrik, and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo are frequently cited as hallmarks of his cinematic vision.
The NFHM, an initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, seeks to preserve and restore India’s cinematic legacy. The programme is carried out by the National Film Development Corporation–National Film Archive of India (NFDC‑NFAI). Under this framework, Pune‑based Cameo Media Labs was tasked with the audio restoration of the six Ghatak titles.
Cameo Media Labs’ work focused on preserving the original sound characteristics while meeting contemporary international exhibition standards. In a release issued by the company, the process was described as involving meticulous audio cleaning, noise reduction, and dynamic‑range optimisation. “For everyone working in film preservation, seeing these restored classics reach prestigious international platforms is immensely gratifying. Audio restoration is often an invisible craft, but it plays a vital role in preserving the artistic integrity of a film and the original intent of a filmmaker,” said Purab Gujar, co‑founder of Cameo Media Labs.
The six restored films—Meghe Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, Ajantrik, Jukti Takko Aar Gappo, and two additional titles not listed in the release—are being screened at Il Cinema Ritrovato, a festival renowned for showcasing restored and archival cinema. The 40th‑anniversary edition of the festival, held in Italy, highlighted the technical and artistic achievements of film preservation.
At the same time, BFI Southbank in London is hosting a month‑long retrospective of Ghatak’s work as part of the centenary celebrations. The British Film Institute’s programme will give UK audiences access to the restored versions, allowing the filmmaker’s legacy to reach a new generation of viewers.
The NFHM‑backed restoration project underscores the importance of preserving India’s film heritage for future audiences. By restoring the audio tracks to meet international standards, the project ensures that Ghatak’s films can be screened in modern cinemas and on global platforms without compromising their original artistic intent.
As of June 23, 2026, the restored Ghatak titles are available for viewing at Il Cinema Ritrovato and BFI Southbank. The NFHM continues to work on additional restoration projects, and the NFDC‑NFAI plans further releases of other classic Indian films in the coming months. The centenary celebrations, including the festival screenings and the BFI retrospective, highlight the enduring relevance of Ghatak’s work and the ongoing efforts to preserve India’s cinematic history.
