Published in the UK on 23rd August 2023
Koushik Bhattacharya, founder of the Mumbai-based restoration company Quality Matters, is a pioneer in film restoration in India. Beginning his career in post-production, Bhattacharya’s groundbreaking work includes restoring India’s first-ever film in 2003, repairing footage of Edison’s short films from over 100 years ago, and earning recognition from Albania’s Prime Minister for his restoration of the Albanian classic Koncert në Vitin 1936.
Highlights:
- Pioneering Restoration: In the 1990s, Bhattacharya learned editing during India’s transition from analog to digital film processing. He restored old footage without any restoration software, working manually frame by frame.
- Mehndi Rang Layegi (1982): His restoration of this Hindi romance film marked India’s first film restoration. With limited tools and a dedicated team, Bhattacharya took eight months to restore the film.
- International Recognition: In 2008, Bhattacharya gained attention for restoring The Divine Miracle (1973) for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, followed by the restoration of Thomas Edison’s 1894 short films.
- Future of Restoration in India: Bhattacharya is optimistic about the National Film Archive of India’s plans to restore over 22,000 films, supported by significant government funding.
- Innovations and Tools: Since 2008, Bhattacharya has utilized Filmworkz’s DVO tools for more efficient restoration, likening the precision required in restoration to cooking.
- Albanian Classic: His restoration of Koncert në Vitin 1936 gained widespread acclaim and was shared by Albania’s Prime Minister, celebrating Bhattacharya’s ability to bring the decayed negative back to life.
