KCA to urge govt to set up film restoration centre

Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) will recommend to the state government to start an archive centre to preserve and restore Kannada films.

During a workshop on "Preserving and Restoring Karnataka's Film Heritage," H B Dinesh, registrar, KCA, said:  "About 1,700 silent films were produced in India. About 90% those films have been lost. Today, only five silent films have survived. None of the Kannada silent films are available," he said.

About 250 films were produced between 1931 and 1941 of which only 15 films have survived. India's first talkie film Alam Ara and first Kannada talkie film Sathi Sulochana are also not available, he said.

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, founder, Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) stated that every state should have its owns film archive centre. However, film makers should start the initiative.

Director Girish Kasaravalli blamed film fraternity for lack of film preservation.