Earlier, these films were only available on DVD, and on NFDC’s own streaming platform, CinemasOfIndia. But now viewers can enjoy restored classics such as Salaam Bombay, Ek Doctor Ki Maut, Gandhi, Mirch Masala, Om Dar-B-Dar, Percy, and Bioscope on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, and JioCinema. 

NFDC is also looking to collaborate with DTH providers in India, as well as more streaming platforms both in India and internationally to release these movies on more platforms.

It was in 2010 that the National Film Development Corporation took the initiative to restore some of the greatest Indian classics as most of them were in bad shape. Twenty-two critically-acclaimed movies were then digitally restored for the first time in 2012 and were re-released in the market. But because of the technical limitations, the video quality suffered.

Now after five years, NFDC has released these movies with more efficient video encoding and bandwidth to enhance the viewers’ experience.

“Our aim is that these classics over the last 30-40 years, which have pioneered Indian cinema, should be out there on all these platforms,” said Awadhesh Kumar, NFDC’s head of distribution and syndication.