The Venice International Film Festival has announced that a newly restored 4K version of Dev Benegal’s acclaimed film English, August (1994) will have its world premiere at the upcoming 83rd edition in the Venice Classics Competition.
This year marks the third consecutive time that the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) has been invited to showcase a world premiere of its restored films in Venice, following earlier presentations of Ghatashraddha (2024) and Do Bigha Zamin (2025).
English, August is based on Upamanyu Chatterjee’s bestselling novel from 1988 and explores themes of post-colonial identity with dark humor. It follows a young man from a privileged background who feels lost in the unfamiliar bureaucracy of small-town India.
Director Dev Benegal, along with Rahul Bose, the lead actor, producer Anuradha Parikh, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur from the Film Heritage Foundation, will represent the film in Venice.
Benegal expressed his gratitude for the restoration efforts, emphasizing the importance of preserving films for future generations. He stated, “Seeing English, August return to the screen in Venice is both humbling and rewarding. It’s a chance for a new audience to connect with the story.”
Actor Rahul Bose shared his excitement, calling it “incredible news.” He reflected on the film’s significance and the emotional experience of revisiting it after 31 years since its debut at TIFF.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur added that restoring English, August aligned with the Foundation’s mission to preserve important films that might be at risk of being lost. He noted the challenges faced during restoration, as original negatives were not available, requiring the use of preserved prints.
Producer Anuradha Parikh expressed her joy about the film’s journey, saying, “Thirty years later, English, August is making its mark at the Venice Film Festival. I’m so moved by this new beginning.”
The anticipation surrounding the premiere highlights the lasting impact and relevance of English, August in the film world.
