In a tribute to his father B.R. Chopra, filmmaker Ravi Chopra will release the coloured version of the evergreen black and white classic "Naya Daur" (1957) all over India June 22.

After 50 years of its theatrical release, the film starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala and made by B.R. Chopra has been given a makeover to suit the taste of the younger generation and will be screened with Dolby digital surround sound.

"This is a tribute to my father in the 50th year," said Ravi Chopra. "There is an emotional attachment with the film. We have such splendid films in black and white and I want today's audiences to watch them too."

The entire process has been a time-consuming and expensive affair costing Rs.35 million. Technicians worked for two-and-a-half years on the colouring and background score of "Naya Daur".

US-based Westwing Studios coloured the 180-minute Indian classic. And Chennai-based Prasad EFX worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week and completed the colour restoration process in four months.

The only surviving composite dupe negative was physically restored from mishandling, dirt, dust particles and repaired of frame perforation tears and more.

Set in post-independence India, "Naya Daur", a phenomenal box office hit, highlights the impact of industrialisation in rural India.

The focus is on tangawallahs who earn their living by transporting people on tangas (horse carts). When the son of a rich landlord (Jeevan) begins operating a bus service in the town, their livelihood is threatened and how they fight this problem is what the film is all about.

The film is also remembered for its everlasting, soulful melodies composed by none other than O.P. Nayyar. "Ude jab jab zulfen teri", "Maang ke saath tumhara" and "Yeh desh hai veer jawaano ka" are some of the popular numbers from the movie.

The successful colouring of legendary filmmaker K. Asif's magnum opus "Mughal-e-Azam" has certainly kick-started a new movement in filmdom. Recently Guru Dutt's son announced that he is also going to fill colours in his father's all time classic "Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam".