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Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

This is available as a two-disc release, for example from Eros and Shemaroo. Which release should I get? Can anyone recommend?

The Eros edition is colorized, which in my opinion automatically puts it out of the running.
I have the Shemaroo. The print is very nice, compared to the norm for older Indian films on DVD.

The power of this film is in its dialogue, and it is untranslatable. What may sometimes sound corny in the translated English is often hair-raising in the original Urdu.

I agree that the original B&W version is preferable.

Eros released the colorized version in the theaters, too. It played here in Atlanta at a local theater specializing in new Indian films. I can't imagine watching it like that.

Yes, translation is always an issue but this is a major work of Indian cinema, and the Shemaroo edition is worth hunting down.

Shemaroo has released a new DVD.

From the company's website:

Mughal-E-Azam B&W Collectors Edition DVD
Special Features
Memorabilia Booklet containing Trivia & Interesting Stories
With English, French, Arabic & Spanish Subtitles
Beautiful Cloth Packaging

Anyone know more about this release?

I could be wrong, but I suspect that it's just the same old transfer, which is watchable. Considering the low price, I would take a chance on it. Some of Shemaroo's transfers of other older films are also very good compared to those of other companies. On the whole I consider them one of the more reliable Indian DVD companies.

L.A. wrote:Shemaroo has released a new DVD.

From the company's website:

Mughal-E-Azam B&W Collectors Edition DVD
Special Features
Memorabilia Booklet containing Trivia & Interesting Stories
With English, French, Arabic & Spanish Subtitles
Beautiful Cloth Packaging

Anyone know more about this release?

I have a friend working for an Indian retailer, and after chatting with him what I understood that it's probably not digitally restored. Although he is not 100% sure. So, here you go! I am actually interested to see it in black and white. I have seen this film only one time, almost 20 years ago on Indian TV and it was in color.

I will just wait and pick it up when I visit home next time!

It has been years since I've seen the film, but I'm pretty sure that the original version has color sequences, even though the bulk of it is in black-and-white. I think I remember a color dance sequence in particular. The Shemaroo DVD had the color sequence, and probably still does.

Hey guys!! I'm from India! I own the Shemaroo version of this movie (both original and re-mastered)

FYI, both the versions fall somewhere below satisfactory.

The colorized version is an improper transfer (they chose to use the negative master instead of the digital ones :baaa: ), pretty blurry. DNR filtering has been done in excess and there's chroma lag. Pseudo progressive (as in film to NTSC transfer, but not encoded progressive). In other words, a Bollywood class transfer :stupid:

Colorization as it is screwed the movie, but the DVDs have worsened things (namely, Eros and Shemaroo)

The Eros version is field averaged (film to PAL to NTSC, interlaced) and is slightly worse.

The plus point in both versions is audio, which was redone to 5.1 surround. No hissing or crackles and dropouts. ;)

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The black and white version by Shemaroo is from an extremely worn out print with excessive wear and tear. The clarity is pretty good, though and definitely NOT excellent. The mono sound has idiotically been spread to 5.1 channels. Hissing is excessive due to that.

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This was what I had to say. I'd recommend the Shemaroo version (color) which is tad better than the Eros one.

However, for clarity, the Black and White version is recommended (in spite of the excessive wear and tear)

Also visit zulm.net for discussion and comparison.

Here's the link

http://www.zulm.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7751" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers guys!! :thumbs:

Blu-ray from Shemaroo, though only the color version.

L.A. wrote:Blu-ray from Shemaroo, though only the color version.

I've seen a couple screenshots - 1.78:1, heavy DNR, possibly upscaled.

Moshrom wrote:

L.A. wrote:Blu-ray from Shemaroo, though only the color version.

I've seen a couple screenshots - 1.78:1, heavy DNR, possibly upscaled.

Thanks for the warning. Guess I'll buy something else then.