Raj Kapoor’s Awara To Screen At 49th Toronto Film Festival

Legendary actor Raj Kapoor’s 1951 classic Awara will be showcased at the 49th Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) on September 13, 2024. The screening will feature a 4K restored version of the film, marking the actor’s 100th death anniversary.

The National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) announced this milestone on August 26. They shared the news on X, stating, “Get ready for a cinematic milestone! The world premiere of the 4K restoration of Raj Kapoor’s timeless classic Awara is set to take place at the @TIFF_NET 2024, under the prestigious TIFF Classics section.“

The film, which stars Nargis and Raj Kapoor’s father, Prithviraj Kapoor, is celebrated as one of Raj Kapoor’s iconic contributions to Hindi cinema. Raj Kapoor not only starred in but also produced the film. The restoration was completed by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI).

NFDC added in a separate post, “Awara is one of several iconic Raj Kapoor films being restored to honour his centenary in December 2024. Catch the screening at TIFF on September 13, 2024, and witness the legacy of Indian cinema in stunning 4K.”

Awara tells the story of Raj (Raj Kapoor), a poor young man who joins a criminal gang to support his mother, only to seek redemption after falling in love with the privileged Rita (Nargis).