Umrao Jaan 4K: Rekha’s Classic Restored
- The timeless classic "umrao Jaan," starring Rekha, is returning to Indian cinemas on june 27, courtesy of PVR Inox.
- Director Muzaffar Ali personally oversaw the restoration, utilizing a 35mm release print from the NFAI due to the fragility of the original negatives.
- In other news, Nippon TV is accelerating its international expansion with the launch of Gyokuro Studio in Tokyo and the Nippon TV LA Business Office.
Experience the magic again: Rekha’s iconic “Umrao Jaan” is back, fully restored in stunning 4K and hitting Indian cinemas on June 27th, thanks to PVR Inox. This re-release of Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 masterpiece, meticulously restored by NFDC-NFAI, reignites a cinematic flame. The film, part of the Timeless Classics initiative, promises a fresh big-screen encounter with a true cultural treasure. Beyond the cinematic world, Nippon TV is expanding its global footprint. They are launching Gyokuro Studio and opening an LA office, aiming to produce abundant, fresh programing. Also, the documentary “Turtle Walker” will be screened at the UN Ocean Conference. News Directory 3 is where you keep up with these stories. Discover what’s next for these exciting developments.
‘Umrao Jaan’ Re-Release, Nippon TV’s Global Expansion Highlight entertainment News
updated June 02, 2025
The timeless classic “umrao Jaan,” starring Rekha, is returning to Indian cinemas on june 27, courtesy of PVR Inox. The film, a 1981 masterpiece by Muzaffar Ali, has undergone a 4K restoration by the National Film Development Corporation-National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI) under the National Film Heritage Mission. This re-release is part of PVR Inox’s Timeless Classics initiative,celebrating landmark Indian cinema and offering audiences a chance to experience this cultural treasure on the big screen once more.
Director Muzaffar Ali personally oversaw the restoration, utilizing a 35mm release print from the NFAI due to the fragility of the original negatives. Ali is also releasing a limited-edition coffee table book featuring behind-the-scenes glimpses and production details of “Umrao Jaan,” offering fans a deeper dive into the film’s creation.
In other news, Nippon TV is accelerating its international expansion with the launch of Gyokuro Studio in Tokyo and the Nippon TV LA Business Office. Gyokuro Studio, led by Kenichiro akiyama, aims to produce 10 unscripted titles annually, targeting 100 titles over a decade thru global collaborations. Tom Miyauchi will head the Los Angeles office, focusing on content sales, IP distribution, and local production partnerships in North America and LATAM.This move underscores nippon TV’s commitment to building a sustainable global presence, leveraging its extensive content IP and streaming capabilities.
Meanwhile, the award-winning Indian documentary “Turtle Walker,” directed by Taira Malanyy, is set to screen at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, from June 9-13. The film, produced by Tiger Baby and Emaho Films in collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, follows sea turtle conservationist Satish Bhaskar’s work along India’s coastlines in the late 1970s. “Turtle Walker” previously won the Grand Teton Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards and premiered at Doc NYC in November 2024.
“‘Umrao Jaan’ was not just a film — it was a journey into the soul of a lost culture,” Ali said.
Rekha added that the character “lives within me, breathes through me, even now.”
What’s next
Audiences can anticipate the re-release of “Umrao Jaan” in theaters, while Nippon TV’s expansion promises a surge of new international content. “turtle Walker”‘s screening at the UN Ocean Conference aims to inspire further marine conservation efforts worldwide.