From Mughal-e-Azam to Chori Chori: Bollywood black and white classics that were later revived in colour

There are numerous black and white films of Bollywood that take us back to the 60s. The feel and essence of the films of those times is entirely different. These classics are evergreen and one can never get tired of watching them over and over. To keep this nostalgia alive for years to come, many of these black and white classics have been revived in colour, adding to them a touch of flavor and enhancing its visuals.

This epic historical drama, directed by K. Asif, starring Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Prithviraj Kapoor, was a cinematic masterpiece in black and white. In 2004, it was meticulously colorized and re-released in theaters. The colorized version aimed to enhance the grandeur of the film's sets and costumes, bringing a new visual dimension to the classic love story of Salim and Anarkali. The re-release was a significant event and was well-received by audiences, becoming the first full-length feature film in the history of world cinema to be colorized for a theatrical release.

Directed by B.R. Chopra and starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, 'Naya Daur' was a social drama set in post-independence India, revolving around the conflict between man and machine. The black and white classic was colorized and re-released in 2007. However, unlike 'Mughal-e-Azam,' the colorized version of 'Naya Daur' did not manage to recapture the magic of the original, receiving a lukewarm response from audiences who often preferred the original's aesthetic.

Directed by Raj Khosla and starring Dev Anand and Madhubala, 'Kala Pani' is a crime thriller. While the full film wasn't officially re-released theatrically in a completely colorized version to the best of current knowledge, individual songs and scenes from 'Kala Pani' have been digitally colorized and are available on platforms like YouTube as a way to reimagine the classic visuals. The original film, however, remains predominantly known and available in its black and white format.

This film, directed by Vijay Anand and Amarjeet, starring Dev Anand in a double role, along with Sadhana and Nanda, was a successful romantic drama in its original black and white release. Fifty years later, in 2011, 'Hum Dono' was colorized and re-released. Similar to 'Naya Daur,' the colorized version did not achieve the same level of success or appreciation as the original, highlighting the challenges in replicating the original charm through colorization for some classic films.

This poignant black and white film, directed by Prakash Arora and produced by Raj Kapoor, tells the story of orphaned siblings striving for dignity. 'Boot Polish' was later colorized and re-released to connect with contemporary audiences, adding a visual dimension to the heartwarming narrative of Bhola and Belu's resilience against poverty. While the original black and white captured the stark realities of their lives, the colorized version aimed to enhance the emotional impact and the vibrancy of the Bombay streets they navigated.

The charming black and white romantic comedy starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis, 'Chori Chori,' was also later treated with colorization. Initially, only a few of its memorable songs were colorized, but eventually, the full film became available in a colorized version on some platforms. The attempt to bring color to this beloved classic likely aimed to amplify the on-screen chemistry between Raj Kapoor and Nargis and to refresh the visual appeal of its delightful romantic escapades across the Indian landscape for newer generations.