Landmark Bimal Roy Film “Do Bigha Zamin” Restored for Venice Premiere
With the world premiere of the 4K restoration of the classic film Do Bigha Zamin (Two Acres of Land) scheduled for the Venice Film Festival‘s Classics section, the director of India’s Film Heritage Foundation, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, reflects on the significance of restoring this cinematic landmark. Originally released in 1953, the film stands as a testament to the enduring power of cinema and its ability to resonate across generations.
Dungarpur emphasized the film’s cultural importance, noting, “Bimal Roy made Do Bigha Zamin two years before Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali. Satyajit Ray acknowledged that Bimal Roy was able to sweep aside the cobwebs of the old tradition and introduce a realism and subtlety that was wholly suited to the cinema.” He believes the film’s portrayal of marginalized populations and the urban-rural divide remains relevant today.
The restoration, a collaborative effort with the Criterion Collection and Janus Films, faced numerous challenges over three years. Dungarpur explained that the original camera negative at the National Film Archive of India was incomplete and in poor condition. “We consulted with the British Film Institute, which provided a complete 35mm dupe negative from 1954-1955,” he said. The audio restoration proved to be particularly complex due to missing segments and significant disturbances.
Inspired by Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves, Do Bigha Zamin tells the story of a poor farmer who relocates to the city as a rickshaw-puller to save his land from a greedy landlord. Dungarpur noted the influence of Italian neo-realism on Indian cinema, highlighting that the movement arose from the aftermath of World War II, while Indian social realism emerged post-Partition in a newly independent nation grappling with migration, displacement, and poverty.
The film marked a pivotal shift in Indian cinema, moving away from the traditional studio-bound productions that dominated the industry. “Before Do Bigha Zamin, films were typically shot in studios with melodramatic acting,” Dungarpur commented. “With this film, Roy demonstrated that films could be authentically shot on the streets.”
The restoration of Do Bigha Zamin aligns with the Film Heritage Foundation’s broader mission to preserve endangered Indian films across diverse languages and regions. Recent restoration projects have included notable titles such as the Odia film Maya Miriga (1984) and Shyam Benegal’s Manthan (1976). Dungarpur expressed his commitment to restoring Roy’s works, recognizing films like Madhumati and Bandini as milestones in Indian cinema.
The partnership with Criterion and Janus Films ensures that Do Bigha Zamin reaches a global audience with the appropriate context and quality. Dungarpur stated, “I am pleased that Criterion Collection/Janus Films agreed to restore and distribute Bimal Roy’s films, ensuring his legacy will endure.” He praised their approach to film restoration, which not only emphasizes quality but also introduces these works to new audiences.
At the Venice Film Festival presentation, Roy’s legacy will be honored by his family, including daughters Rinki Roy Bhattacharya and Aparajita Roy Sinha, and son Joy Bimal Roy, alongside Dungarpur. Looking forward, the Film Heritage Foundation plans to undertake additional restorations, including John Abraham’s Amma Ariyan (1986) and Kamal Amrohi’s Pakeezah (1972).
Ultimately, the restored version of Do Bigha Zamin, which received the Prix International at Cannes in 1954, serves as both a historical artifact and a reflection of contemporary issues. Dungarpur encapsulated its essence, stating, “At the heart of both the neo-realist films and the social realism in Indian cinema is a humane and compassionate view of humanity and its frailties.” Founded in 2014, the Film Heritage Foundation is a Mumbai-based non-profit dedicated to the preservation and restoration of cinema, boasting a growing collection of 700 films and 200,000 pieces of film-related memorabilia.
