India, Sept. 2 -- A 4K restored version of Meena Kumari-starrer 1972 classic Pakeezah is set to have its world premiere at Festival Lumiere in Lyon, France, and the BFI London Film Festival. The restoration on the movie, directed by Kamal Amrohi, was spearheaded by not-for-profit organisation Film Heritage Foundation, which spent two years to bring the film to its original glory.

The world premiere in Lyon will be led by Cannes and Lumiere chief Thierry Fremaux.

From France, the film will travel to London for a gala screening at the BFI IMAX, that will be presented by FHF director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur alongside Amrohi's children, Tajdar and Rukhsaar and grandson Bilal Amrohi.

Hailed by the late film critic Derek Malcolm as one of ...