Prasad Film Laboratories has issued a public notice giving owners 30 days to collect unclaimed film negatives and celluloid materials from its premises. The notice, published in the June 20, 2026 issue of Complete Cinema magazine, warns that uncollected materials may be permanently destroyed.
What the Notice Says
According to the notice, the concerned materials must be claimed within 30 days of the date of publication. The company has cautioned that any negatives or celluloid assets left uncollected after the stipulated period may be permanently destroyed in accordance with prevailing pollution-control norms.
The announcement is significant for producers, studios, distributors, financiers and legal heirs who may have deposited original negatives, prints or related film material with the laboratories over the years. Since many older films have their original negatives stored at such facilities, this notice could affect a large number of films.
Locations and Affected Parties
The notice applies to materials lying unclaimed at Prasad Film Laboratories' premises in Chennai, Trivandrum, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The company is asking rightful owners to come forward and collect their materials before the deadline expires.
Our Take: A Wake-Up Call for Filmmakers
In our view, this notice is a stark reminder for the film industry. Many older films have their original negatives sitting in laboratories for years, often forgotten by producers or their heirs. The warning "don't let another Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar happen" highlights the risk of losing valuable cinematic history. Filmmakers and rights holders must act quickly to preserve their work. If they don't, these irreplaceable materials could be gone forever.
