As part of legendary filmmaker Raj Khosla’s centenary celebrations, the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) is set to host a special day-long retrospective titled ‘Raj Khosla 100 – Bambai Ka Babu’ this Saturday at the iconic Regal Cinema in Mumbai. The event aims to spotlight Khosla’s immense contributions to Indian cinema, with screenings of his restored classics and a thought-provoking panel discussion.According to a press note, the tribute will feature restored 4K screenings of Khosla’s cinematic gems – ‘C.I.D. (1956)’, ‘Bambai Ka Babu (1960)’, and ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)’. These restorations were undertaken by the NFDC-National Film Archive of India (NFAI) under the National Film Heritage Mission, supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

The panel will bring together leading voices from the film industry, including veteran actress Asha Parekh, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, and Amborish Roychoudhury, author of ‘Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography’. Together, they will reflect on Khosla’s legacy and lasting influence.

Expressing her admiration for Khosla, Asha Parekh said, “Do Badan, Chirag, Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki and Mera Gaon Mera Desh are still among my favourite films, and I am very proud of my work in them. Before Do Badan, I was more known for dancing and glamorous roles, but that film changed the perception of me as an actress capable of handling serious roles.” She added, “Rajji and I shared a great rapport. His command over song picturization was remarkable. I’m glad Film Heritage Foundation is celebrating his centenary by bringing his films to the big screen once again.”

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation, described Khosla as “the Howard Hawks of Indian cinema” for his versatility across genres—thrillers, musicals, dacoit dramas, love stories, and more. “He was a filmmaker who made women-centric stories at a time when very few did,” Dungarpur noted, “and he was a master at blending narrative and music seamlessly.”

Khosla, who began his career under Guru Dutt, directed 27 films over three decades. He was instrumental in revolutionising the art of song picturization in the 1950s and ’60s—his influence evident in how music and narrative blended into mainstream Hindi cinema. Alongside contemporaries like Vijay Anand, Khosla carved a unique space for emotionally rich, visually compelling storytelling that stood the test of time.

The Film Heritage Foundation’s initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to restoring and showcasing Indian cinema’s artistic legacy. For younger audiences and cinephiles alike, Raj Khosla 100 promises to be an unforgettable window into the golden era of Hindi filmmaking.