Pune techies successfully restore audio of Ritwik Ghatak’s classic films

Pune, 22nd June 2026: Audio restoration experts of the Pune-based Cameo Media Labs have achieved a significant milestone in the field of film preservation with its audio restoration work on six classic films of legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, which are being screened at the ongoing internationally acclaimed Il Cinema Ritrovato Film Festival in Bologna, Italy. The festival, regarded as one of the world’s most important platforms for restored and archival cinema, will showcase the films across 13 screening slots over nine days at its 40th Anniversary edition, marking an unprecedented international presence for Indian cinematic heritage. The festival will end on June 28th.

The screenings are a result of the ongoing efforts of India’s National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), a landmark initiative established to preserve, restore and safeguard the country’s vast film legacy for future generations, academic research and global cultural appreciation. The restoration project is undertaken by the National Film Development Corporation and the National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI) based in Pune under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The six films form part of the birth centenary celebrations of Ritwik Ghatak, widely regarded as one of India’s most influential filmmakers. His masterpieces, including Meghe Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, Ajantrik and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo, continue to inspire filmmakers and cinephiles worldwide through their distinctive storytelling and powerful social commentary.

Pune based Cameo Media Labs was entrusted with the crucial task of audio restoration for the films under the National Film Heritage Mission. Through meticulous restoration processes, the company helped recover and preserve the original sonic character of these cinematic treasures while ensuring that the films meet contemporary international exhibition standards.

The restored classics are currently being showcased internationally as part of Ghatak’s centenary celebrations. A month-long retrospective is underway at BFI Southbank in London, while the films will also be presented at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato festival, renowned globally for celebrating restored and classic cinema.

The growing international recognition of restored Indian classics reflects the success of the National Film Heritage Mission. While only a handful of Indian films previously found space in classic and retrospective sections of major global festivals, the quality of restoration work undertaken under NFHM is now enabling a much stronger and sustained international presence for Indian cinema.

Speaking about the achievement, Purab Gujar, Co-founder of Cameo Media Labs, said, “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 the film and original intent of a filmmaker. We are proud to have contributed to the restoration of Ritwik Ghatak’s films under the National Film Heritage Mission and to have supported the revival of works that represent some of the finest achievements in Indian cinema. The growing global recognition for these restored films demonstrates that India now possesses restoration capabilities that meet the highest international standards.”

Over the years, Cameo Media Labs has played a significant role in the restoration of films by some of India’s greatest cinematic masters. Under NFHM, Cameo has been instrumental for restoring films for global audiences for birth centenary celebrations of Satyajit Ray in 2022, Devanand in 2023,⁠ ⁠⁠Raj Kapoor in 2024, ⁠⁠Guru Dutt in 2025 and now Ritwik Ghatak in 2026.

The selection of these restored films by leading international festivals stands as a testament to the quality of restoration work being undertaken in India and highlights the country’s growing contribution to the global film preservation movement.

As India’s restored cinematic treasures continue to find audiences around the world, the success of I&B Ministry’s National Film Heritage Mission and its restoration partners is ensuring that the nation’s rich film heritage is preserved, celebrated and appreciated by future generations across the globe.