Veteran actor and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Mohanlal has expressed his delight over the world premiere of the 4K restoration of his landmark 1989 film Kireedam, which is being screened as part of the Special Screenings section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
Sharing the news on social media, the actor wrote, “Delighted to share the world premiere of the 4K restoration of Kireedam (1989), presented as part of the Special Screenings at the 56th IFFI, Goa. The film has been meticulously restored by NFDC – National Film Archive of India from a 35mm release print, thankfully preserved by the archive for several decades after the original camera negative had decomposed. The final grading was supervised by the film’s cinematographer, S. Kumar. It is an honour to witness this classic return to the screen.” He added that it was “heartening to see Kireedam revived under the National Film Heritage Mission,” extending his best wishes to the NFDC–NFAI team “as they continue preserving and presenting India’s cinematic heritage for future generations, in both digital and analog form.”
Directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A K Lohithadas, Kireedam is one of Malayalam cinema’s most acclaimed dramas, known for Mohanlal’s powerful portrayal of Sethumadhavan, a young man whose dreams of becoming a police officer end up in tragedy. The film’s emotional depth and restrained storytelling have made it a timeless classic, earning Mohanlal a National Award Special Jury Mention.
The restoration of Kireedam is part of IFFI 2025’s Indian Panorama Special Package, which pays tribute to the nation’s cinematic legacy through 18 restored classics. The restorations, carried out under the National Film Heritage Mission by NFDC–National Film Archive of India (NFAI), include landmark works across Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, and Telugu cinema. This year’s programme holds particular significance, commemorating 125 years of V Shantaram and marking centenary tributes to Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, Bhupen Hazarika, P Bhanumati, Salil Choudhury, and K Vaikunth.
