Raj Khosla 100: Film Heritage Foundation to Celebrate the Iconic Director’s Centenary with Retrospective at Regal Cinema, Mumbai
Mumbai, May 29, 2025 — As part of a grand tribute to one of Indian cinema’s most versatile and influential filmmakers, the Film Heritage Foundation is set to host ‘Raj Khosla 100 – Bambai Ka Babu’, a special mini-retrospective event celebrating the centenary of legendary producer-director Raj Khosla. The event will take place at the historic Regal Cinema in Mumbai on May 31, 2025, and will feature screenings of three of Khosla’s most acclaimed films, alongside discussions and appearances by key figures from the Indian film industry.
A Legacy Revisited
The celebration will be graced by veteran actress Asha Parekh, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, and members of Raj Khosla’s family, who will reflect on the cinematic brilliance of the late director. Film historian and National Award-winning author Amborish Roychoudhury, who wrote “Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography”, will also join the panel to discuss Khosla’s contribution to Indian cinema.
Timeless Films on the Big Screen
The mini-retrospective will screen three of Raj Khosla’s iconic classics:
- ‘Bambai Ka Babu’ (Dev Anand & Suchitra Sen) – 12:00 PM
- ‘C.I.D.’ (Dev Anand, directed by Khosla under Guru Dutt's production) – 3:00 PM
- ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ (Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Asha Parekh) – 6:30 PM
Each film reflects a different aspect of Khosla’s storytelling prowess—from film noir to romance to rural action drama, showcasing his unmatched versatility as a filmmaker.
Restoration and Heritage Efforts
Two of the films, ‘Bambai Ka Babu’ and ‘C.I.D.’, will be screened in 4K restored versions, thanks to the efforts of the NFDC – National Film Archive of India (NFAI) under the National Film Heritage Mission, an initiative by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
“For more than four decades, NFDC-NFAI preserved a 35mm release print of Bambai Ka Babu, which made the 4K restoration possible,” said Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC. “This screening is a unique opportunity for cinephiles to witness Bombai Ka Babu like never before.”
Celebrating a Cinematic Pioneer
Raj Khosla, who began his career under the mentorship of Guru Dutt, went on to helm several landmark films that defined Indian cinema from the 1950s through the 1980s. His work covered a range of genres, from suspense thrillers like Woh Kaun Thi? and Mera Saaya to romantic dramas and socially relevant films.
“Film Heritage Foundation is proud to dedicate a day to honor Raj Khosla on his 100th birth anniversary by showcasing a few of his timeless films,” said Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation. “This is not just a tribute to his genius, but also a way to inspire new generations to rediscover India’s cinematic legacy.”
Entry Details
The event is open to the public and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis, offering Mumbai's movie lovers a rare chance to experience restored classics on the big screen in a historic venue.