The dream of Satyajit Ray fans for such a long time has finally come true. Ray’s never-before-seen controversial documentary “Sikkim” will be seen for the first time at the 14th Kolkata Film Festival (KFF) on November 17.

The film will be resorted by the United States Academy of Motion Pictures. Ray’s other classics like Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne and Abhijaan has also been restored by the academy.

Speaking at a press conference, the Academy’s noted preservationist Josef Lindner said, “The print of ‘Sikkim’ needed digital restoration. We hope to hold its video premiere towards the end of the (Nov 10-17) festival. The film will be ready for 35 mm screening by early next year.”

The documentary which was commisisoned by the then ruler of Sikkim was banned and destroyed by the Indian government after Sikkim became an Indian state in 1975.

“We understand the copyright has been transferred to the trust. But there are a few ifs and buts before we can definitely say we will be able to screen it, as we are yet to get possession of the clearances,” Lindner said.

Ray’s films have earlier been screened in London, Washington, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

While commenting over Americans interest in Ray films, a well-known US film critic Peter Rainer said, “Frankly speaking, there is very little interest about Ray. The young generation has no sense of film history. But even in his heyday, unlike Federico Felini, Ray did not have such a fan following. He was adored by a select group.”