Kolkata, Sep 16: Old Indian classic films from the likes of Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray, the prints of which are getting damaged, would be restored by the government at a Rs 660 crore project and made available for public sale.
Around 3000 films would be acquired and digitised, restored and transferred to inter-negatives under the scheme and will be available at affordable rates as DVDs for the public, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni announced here today.
Under the National Film Heritage Mission being established with an outlay of Rs 660 crore, the country's invaluable film heritage would be preserved.
“This mission will provide a platform for comprehensive solutions for cataloguing, dissemination and monetisation of film content, video tapes, posters and other related materials in the possession of either the Film Wing of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting or with the various state governments as well as with private individuals and institutions,” the minister said.
As part of the restoration process, the ministry had last year restored the print of Mrinal Sen's ‘Khandhar' thus making it available for a special screening at Cannes film festival.
“Under the Heritage Mission we will also look at restoring the classics of maestro Shri Satyajit Ray,” Soni said.
To celebrate the completion of 100 years of the Indian film industry in the year 2013, the Centre is planning to constitute a national committee of eminent film persons and other stakeholders to suggest a comprehensive plan for the celebrations.
“The centenary celebrations would also offer an opportunity to applaud the iconic members of the film industry for their contribution in different fields of cinema, while at the same time positioning India as a soft power at a global level,” she said.
Directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke, the first Indian film ‘Raja Harishchandra' was made in 1913. PTI
