A legendary comeback

If you think your current creative projects are stressful, consider the history of the 1972 Indian cinema masterpiece Pakeezah. The film, which was basically the definition of 'main character energy' in its day, is finally getting its flowers again. Thanks to a 4K restoration by the Film Heritage Foundation and the Amrohi family, the movie is making a massive return. It’s hitting the big screen for a gala at the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 18, and let's just say the vibes are high—the Imax screening reportedly sold out in record time.

The drama behind the scenes

The story of Pakeezah is legendary for all the wrong reasons. Director Kamal Amrohi started filming in 1956, but production was chaotic. It survived a decade-long stall, the death of its German cinematographer Josef Wirsching, and composer Ghulam Mohammed passing away before the background score was even done. Kamal Amrohi was so obsessed with the project that he allegedly ignored his own basic needs, wearing worn-out tunics because he insisted on pouring every cent into the film. His daughter, Rukhsar Amrohi, recalls him refusing to buy new clothes until the film was finally in theaters. Real talk: that is some serious dedication.

The star power

Meena Kumari, the film’s absolute icon, played the lead character Sahibjaan, a courtesan navigating life in Lucknow. The film's premiere on Feb. 3, 1972, at Bombay’s Maratha Mandir cinema was pure theater—prints were delivered by horses and police had to manage the massive crowd. Tajdar Amrohi, the director's son, remembers seeing his parents sitting together at the screening, his mother gripping his father’s arm so hard she drew blood. Kumari sadly passed away just weeks after the film's release, but the family is quick to shut down rumors that the movie only became a hit because of her death. As Tajdar puts it, quality stands on its own.

Why it matters

Pakeezah wasn't just a movie; it was the life’s work of a family whose personal history was completely intertwined with the production. By restoring it, the Film Heritage Foundation is keeping a vital piece of cinema history alive, proving that some stories—no matter how much drama they endure—are truly timeless.