JOIN USThe NFDC’s target is to restore 100 films over the next three years, and the project will take off with the restoration of two of its classic productions, Kundan Shah’s Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and Ketan Mehta’s Mirch Masala.
The Ray films that will be restored are the second of the Apu trilogy, Aparajito, along with Ghare Baire, Ganashatru and Agantuk.
“It’s going to be a tall order in terms of both money and labour, but it will be worth it,” NFDC managing director Nina Lath Gupta said.
Over the years, many of the NFDC’s films, which include some of Indian cinema’s finest-ever, have deteriorated to a great extent. “Many of the films are in a real bad shape and their restoration is an absolute and urgent necessity,” said Gupta.
The other films to be restored include Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda, Samar (both Shyam Benegal), Main Zinda Hoon, Dharavi (both by Sudhir Mishra), Party (Govind Nihalani), Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (Saeed Akhtar Mirza), Sati (Aparna Sen) and Wheel Chair (Tapan Sinha).