Bollywood's Biggest Blockbuster - Mughal-E-Azam - Restored in Full Color Debuted in U.S. Theaters April 1

Bollywood's Biggest Blockbuster - Mughal-E-Azam - Restored in Full Color Debuted in U.S. Theaters April 1

Now Playing in NY, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Orlando, LA, SF, D.C., Toronto and More!

DVD Release in May 2005

NEW YORK, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Bollywood films are taking America by storm -- but the one that started it all 45 years ago is back and better than ever. MUGHAL-E-AZAM (The Great Mughal) -- the Biggest Indian Film Ever -- has been beautifully restored in color and opened April 1 on 32 screens across the U.S., with a wider release to an additional 30 screens on April 15th.

On March 30th, over 150 fans joined who's who in the South Asian film community for the New York premiere of Mughal-E-Azam at the ImaginAsian theater in New York. This epic love story comes to life in radiant color and digital 6.1 sound, making history as the first time a colorized vintage film has been released theatrically.

"This film is known throughout Indian Cinema as one of the greatest films," said Rohi Mirza Pandya, ImaginAsian Director, Theater Operations & Acquisitions. "It is amongst Hollywood greats such as Benhur and Gone with the Wind. And finally the film can be seen as the original filmmakers always intended it -- in true color and a new wide-screen format." The film was fully restored at a cost of more than $1 million, over the course of two years, using customized Indian colorization technology -- all under the careful direction of the film's original producers, Sterling Investments.

The most expensive Indian film, then or now, was nine years in the making (1951-1960). In 1957, color technology arrived in India. Director K. Asif shot one reel in color. Impressed with the results, he wanted to re-shoot the whole film but was restrained by time concerns. The film was released in 1960 in 85 percent black-and-white and 15 percent color.

"It was terrific, an outstanding restoration job. I e-mailed 25 friends last night and told them the film was incredible. Every song is worth a million dollars," said Rakesh Bhargava, at the New York premiere.

Sridhar Sreekakula, President of UTV, the film's distributor, says, "When we were young, our parents used to tell us that it was the best movie of that time. Watching it in color on the big screen was a great moment in cinema history." And critics agree:

"'Mughal-E-Azam' is an example of popular folk art at its most endearing ... In its grandiose theatricality and operatic sweep ... as 'Cabiria' and 'Intolerance' and Cecil B. DeMille ... ' Kevin Thomas, LA TIMES

The film is being released on 65 screens nationwide throughout April by UTV (www.utvnet.com), including: New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Francisco, D.C. Area (Maryland and Virginia), Tempe, San Francisco Area, San Jose, San Diego Area, Seattle Area, Indianapolis, Cary North Carolina, plus Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. See http://www.mughaleazam.com/ for more information.

Source: Sterling Investment Corporation Ltd

CONTACT: Tristan 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

Web site: http://www.mughaleazam.com/

Web site: http://www.utvnet.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: VISUALS: Trailers and making of B-roll available upon request. Visit http://www.mughaleazam.com/press.htm or www.wireimage.com for photos

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