Mughal-E-Azam - From Bollywood to Hollywood

Mughal-E-Azam - From Bollywood to Hollywood

A New Restored Print of Indian Cinema's Biggest Blockbuster of All Time Premieres March 17 in L.A. Heralding Its U.S. Theatrical Debut in April

WHAT: 45 years after it first premiered with much fanfare in India, K. Asif's Mughal-E-Azam (pronounced MogelEZAM), the epic love story that introduced color to Bollywood film spectaculars, is back and better than ever for a new generation of film fans to enjoy.

WHY: The grandeur of the film can now be seen as the original filmmakers always intended -- in true color -- and with new wide-screen format, its classical music in true digital surround sound and fully restored at a cost of more than $1 million. The new version of the film has received rave reviews and done extraordinary business in India, successfully completing 100 days in 14 cinemas in India last year.

The producers say this is the first time a colorized & restored version of a vintage film has had a 70 mm big screen release.

HISTORY: Nine years in the making (1951-60), color technology arrived in India during the end of the long shoot. Director K. Asif decided to shoot one reel in color. Impressed with the results, he re-shot the last three reels in color and wanted to re-shoot the whole film but was restrained by budget and time concerns. The film was released in 1960 in 85% in b/w and 15% in color, becoming an instant classic.

WHEN: 7 p.m., Thursday, March 17th, 2005

WHERE: Writers Guild of America, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Presented by the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Entrance on Doheny Drive.

HOW: Tickets: $10.00. Tickets can be purchased online at www.meraticket.com Parking: $3.00 flat fee after 5pm opposite the WGA Theater. Or contact us for further screenings in local theaters in April.

Log on to http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/events.html for more details.

PRNewswire -- March 15

Source: Sterling Investment Corporation Ltd

CONTACT: Tristan Miller Mansey, +1-310-989-0856, Tristan@mansey.com, or Kris Ellenberg, +1-310-430-1772, kris.ellenberg@gmail.com, both for Sterling Investment Corporation Ltd; or IFFLA, +1-310-364-4403, marketing@indianfilmfestival.org

Web site: http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/events.html

------- Profile: Ent