Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has expressed profound gratitude and admiration following the restoration of his grandfather Raj Kapoor’s legendary film Shree 420. The restoration, spearheaded by Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation - National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI), has revived one of Indian cinema’s most cherished classics, ensuring its enduring legacy for generations to come.

The restored version of Shree 420 was recently showcased at the ongoing Raj Kapoor Centenarian Film Festival, a celebration of the cinematic genius of one of Indian cinema’s most iconic filmmakers. The festival honors Raj Kapoor’s timeless contributions to the film industry and provides audiences with an opportunity to relive his masterpieces in their full glory.

Expressing his admiration for the restoration, Ranbir Kapoor shared “Restoring Shree 420 feels like opening a time capsule to my grandfather Raj Kapoor’s world—a world of ambition and hope. This film isn’t just a story; it’s a reflection of a changing India and the timeless struggles of humanity. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Prime Focus Technologies and NFDC-NFAI, this timeless classic has been brought back to life with all its original charm. It’s a gift to see his cinema continue to touch hearts and inspire generations—a true tribute to his legacy and craft. My heartfelt thanks to the incredible restoration team at PFT whose dedication and passion made this dream possible and brought Shree 420 to life.”

Directed by the visionary Raj Kapoor and released in 1955, Shree 420 has long been celebrated for its poignant storytelling, evocative music, and social commentary. The restoration process meticulously preserved the film’s original essence while enhancing its visual and auditory appeal, ensuring audiences can experience it in its full glory.

Jyothi Nayak, EVP - Content Localization & Digital Media Services at Prime Focus Technologies, said: "It has been a privilege to restore Shree 420, a film that captures the spirit of a transformative era in India’s history. Our restoration team worked passionately to ensure that Raj Kapoor’s cinematic masterpiece continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide. This achievement underscores PFT’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage through cutting-edge technology and expertise.”

Prime Focus Technologies is thankful to RK Films and NFDC - National Film Archive of India for entrusting us with the responsibility of restoring Shree 420. This collaboration underscores the shared vision of preserving and celebrating Indian cinematic heritage for future generations.

The restored version of Shree 420 marks a significant milestone in the preservation of Indian cinematic heritage, paving the way for more classics to be revived and celebrated. The collaborative efforts of PFT and NFDC-NFAI demonstrate a shared commitment to preserving India’s rich film history and ensuring it continues to inspire.

About Prime Focus Technologies

Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the creator of CLEAR^®. It offers streaming platforms, studios, and broadcasters AI technology and media services powered by the cloud that help them enable creativity, efficiency, and, most importantly, revenue generation. PFT works with major companies like Walt Disney-owned Star TV, Channel 4, ITV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, A&E Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery, Hearst, PBS, Paramount, Lionsgate, Crunchyroll, Insight TV, Disney+ Hotstar, BCCI, Tegna, Amazon MGM Studios, and more.

For more information, visit: www.primefocustechnologies.com

Press Contact

T Shobhana
Senior Vice President and Global Head of Marketing
Prime Focus Technologies
Los Angeles, CA
t.shobhana@primefocus.com