Plan to restore films on freedom struggle
The Union information and broadcasting ministry has decided to launch an ambitious scheme for the restoration and preservation of important original films covering the freedom movement of the country. The move comes after it came to light that several films pertaining to speeches, political rallies and actions of important leaders of
freedom movement like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose were in a decomposed state and had been adversely affected by fungus.
Official sources stated that after the matter was brought to the notice of the Union I&B minister Ambika Soni, she directed an immediate restoration of such films which are considered to be an important part of Indian history. The minister is understood to have instructed the officials that the work should be considered high priority as it pertained to the historical footage associated with the freedom movement.
“It was found that several of these films had been damaged due to fungus, decomposition and wear and tear. Along with the celluloid material, the sound tracks of these films have also been damaged,” sources said. Once the restoration process is completed, the life span of these films can be increased by about 100 years, sources stated.
Sources stated that most of this historically important footage is currently held by the Films Division and an estimated sum of Rs 30 crore is likely to be spent on its restoration. Films and other material held by NFDC, Films Division and Children’s Film Society of India are also being restored. The ministry has also given the go ahead for the restoration of 77 films with the NFDC during the ongoing 11th plan period. An outlay of Rs 10 crore has been provided for the purpose. The step has been initiated to ensure preservation of landmark films like Ek Doctor Ki Maut by Tapan Sinha, Ganashatru by Satyajit Ray and other films.
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