Plan to screen films of Dadasaheb Phalke Award winners to commemorate 100th year of Indian cinema mired in confusion
The National Film Archive of India (NFAI) is yet to give the green signal to showcase a series of films of award-winning personalities from Monday as part of the ‘Towards Century of Indian Cinema’ celebrations.
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According to an advertising leaflet, the NFAI is one of the organisers of the festival, along with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and the Aashay Film Club. The advertisement says the “screening of Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winner’s Films” is to be held in collaboration with the Films Division.
Screenings are to be held on every second and fourth Monday of the month till October 22 at the NFAI theatre. FTII students, NFAI Film Circle members and Aashay Film Club members will have entry to the festival. The organisers are also offering entry on first-come-first-serve basis. The festival is to be inaugurated by veteran film director Sai Paranjape.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winner’s Films include works of veteran film personalities like Devika Rani, Ashok Kumar, Satyajit Ray, Saumitra Chaterjee, B R Chopra, Yash Chopra, Hrishikesh Mukharjee, Tapan Sinha, Prithviraj Kapoor, Sohrab Modi, Dilip Kumar and Nitin Bose.
Stumbling block: The National Film Archive of India; the advertising leaflet that mentions NFAI as one of the organisers of the festival. File Pic
NFAI director Pradeep Pathrabe stated that NFAI had not yet given permission for the screening of films of these personalities. “We have not yet given any kind of permission for the festival, as there are several issues involving legalities,” Pathrabe said. “We can’t go ahead if these formalities are not completed by the organisers.”
Chandrashekhar Joshi, research officer, FTII, expressed surprise over the NFAI stand. “I don’t think there is any change in the programme, as everything has been finalised on our side,” Joshi said.
FTII director Dharmendra Jai Narain was not available for comment on the issue. Aashay Film Club sources said there was some confusion between the NFAI and the FTII. “This is an issue of internal communication between FTII and NFAI,” a source said. “We are sure that it will be resolved soon.”
100th year: No funds from I&B
NFAI director Pradeep Pathrabe said no funds had been provided yet for celebrations for the 100th year of Indian cinema. “We are using the money from our annual budget for screenings and organising posters of Indian films. To celebrate the centenary year of Indian Cinema, we had asked for Rs 50 lakh from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry two months ago,” Pathrabe said.u00a0
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