Old Indian films will now get government support for preservation and restoration. The Planning Commission has approved the establishment of the National Film Heritage Mission in mission mode for restoration, digitisation and preservation of films. It has also suggested the formation of a committee headed by Union I&B secretary to monitor the scheme.
The proposal of Union information and broadcasting ministry is expected to help restore films with various government divisions and help in commercial utilisation of the same.
Official sources stated that a sum of `660 crores has been approved for the project. The Planning Commission has suggested that a high-level committee under the chairmanship of secretary I&B, with stakeholders may be formed to review the mission’s activities.
“The committee will have the power to approve films and film material required to be restored and protected. The committee will also look into restoration and digitisation of archival wealth of films,” the directive stated. The Planning Commission has also suggested that the assets thus created should remain with the government. “The I&B ministry and National Film Development Corporation may exploit it for commercial revenue earning in national and international market,” the directive added.
The proposal, a brainchild of I&B minister Ambika Soni, is aimed at paying a fitting tribute to Indian film industry which completes 100 years of existence. And the scheme is the first comprehensive step towards digitising and restoration of Indian films.
The National Film Heritage Mission will also initiate the process of digitisation of archives of All-India Radio and Doordarshan as reported by this paper last year. Amongst the rich archival material in the possession of these two broadcasters are speeches by various Prime Ministers, Presidents, leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and thousands of hours of recording of classical and folk music.