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Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Reel Life: NFAI preserves the 8mm world of Jai Dordi Vakil
Discarding doesn't come easy to Delhi-based ethnomusicologist and archivist Shubha Chaudhuri. Which explains the boxes of vintage sarees and a suitcase containing black-and-white family photographs, some featuring faces even her 98-year-old mother cannot recognize. It took years, but she finally managed to clear out the Colaba flat of her mother's "pretty, practical and proper" elder sister, Jai Dordi Vakil, who passed away in 2022, two months shy of 100. Among the belongings, Chaudhuri—executor of her aunt's estate—uncovered a projector, Ganeshotsav slides, various untitled frames, and most notably, reels of 8mm and Super 8mm home movies that have now found a home at Pune's National Film Archive of India (NFAI). A popular amateur film format introduced in the 1930s, 8mm was compact, affordable and easy to use, making it the go-to medium for home movie makers long before digital video became accessible. Described by NFAI as "a window into mid-20th-century life," the reels chronicle a life well-travelled and quietly documented. "I don't know what's on the reels or what condition they're in," says Chaudhuri. "But I'm sure there's travel footage and shots of military planes that could be of interest," she adds, having donated the archive with help from her friend, architect-filmmaker Nachiket Patwardhan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready for a Glow-Up? [Get Your Reading Now] Undo Glow-Up Packages from $15 [Sign Up] Undo Affect Your Future Now! (Book Today) Undo You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Born in 1922, Vakil studied at St Xavier's College in Mumbai, learned French and later worked at the Indian embassy in Brussels. During a posting in Delhi, she met Air Force officer Jamshed Dordi, her future husband. Together, they travelled widely—across Africa, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Austria, Nepal and Bhutan, and within India to Gir, Bharatpur, Kashmir, Goa and Mahabaleshwar—footage of which now survives on her 8mm reels. Though not a professional filmmaker, Vakil—whom NFAI calls an "amateur filmmaker"—had a cinematic eye. "She was technically oriented. She would repair her own car," says Chaudhuri. "While she loved documenting her travels, she couldn't pursue a career in the visual arts as life kept her moving." Safaris, American highways, European streets--her flashgun lapped it all up. "She didn't have children. Whenever my mother and I visited, she'd set up the projector and play her films," says Chaudhuri, who also found a box of alphabet cutouts used to paste titles onto the reels. "Home movies offer glimpses into domestic and communal experiences," says Prakash Magdum, managing director, NFDC-NFAI. "They're fragments of memory, capturing cultural and emotional landscapes across time and class." Preserving such material isn't easy. "Celluloid often arrives with an unknown history—how it was stored, whether it was rewound or handled well," explains Magdum. "We stabilize and preserve it under archival conditions." Once digitized, curated excerpts may be made accessible to students and researchers. "We're already collaborating with cultural institutions and looking to expand engagement," says Magdum. Vakil's story is a reminder that the visual history of Indian cinema is shaped not only by stars and studios but also by women with cameras and quiet curiosity. "She put in effort labelling slides, camera gear, old photos," says Chaudhuri. After Jamshed's death in 1995, Vakil—who loved Western classical music and concerts—seemed to withdraw. "She had stopped labelling things after 2015. Though she had four cupboards full of pretty clothes, she would wear the same ten pairs. " Vakil visited Iran with friends, and once came to Delhi, recalls Chaudhuri. But that was that: "She wasn't one to travel solo."
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
City hosts film screening and exhibition to honour late Navroze Contractor
Navroze Contractor 's contribution to Indian cinema , photography , and documentary filmmaking has been both profound and impactful. To honour his legacy, a three-day film event, titled Through the Eyes of Navroze, will be held at the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Law College Road, while an exhibition of photos taken by him will be on at the Raja Ravi Varma art gallery on Ghole Road. An exhibition of curated photos A exhibition of photos taken by Contractor over a span of 60 years is on till Sunday. Curated by Sanjiv Shah , Anuj Ambalal and Himanshu Panchal from over 20,000 photos, the exhibition explores Contractor's deep love for people, music, and travel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Warren Buffett Says These 5 Books Are a Must-Read for 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Where: Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery, Ghole Road; Timings: 11 am-7 pm (On till Sunday) Also read: Next up, AI as your friend, philosopher and emotional guide Through the Eyes of Navroze Watch films on which Contractor worked as a cinematographer. You can also witness a panel discussion with Deepa Dhanraj, Nachiket Patwardhan, Vaibhav Abnave and Sanjiv Shah at 5 pm on Sunday. Screenings Today: Kya Hua Iss Sheher Ko (1986, dir. Deepa Dhanraj)- 6.30 pm Saturday: Hun Hunshi Hunshilal (1992, dir. Sanjiv Shah)- 6.30 pm Sunday: Limited Manuski (1995, dir. Jayoo and Nachiket Patwardhan)- 11 am; Percy (1989, dir. Pervez Merwanji)- 2 pm; Duvidha (1973, dir. Mani Kaul)- 6.30 pm Where: NFDC-NFAI, Law College Road (Entry free on a first-come, first-served basis)
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A Weekend with French Cinema
Over two days, May 23 and 24, Alliance Française de Pune , in collaboration with the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), hosted a compact yet engaging French film festival at the NFAI auditorium. The theme of the festival was a homage to the ongoing Cannes Film Festival and featured three critically acclaimed films, Nous by Alice Diop , The Super 8 Years by Annie Ernaux , and Cléo from 5 to 7 by Agnès Varda , along with a panel discussion titled Nouvelle Vague: Legacies and Afterlives, which explored the continuing impact of the French New Wave on global cinema. It is impressive that despite being a limited festival with a niched down theme, it drew a modest but focussed audience, with film students, cinema enthusiasts, and followers of world cinema attending across both days. French New Wave in India 24 th May, Saturday, was arguably more important day among the two, as it not only witnessed screenings of two films, but also the panel discussion that featured Prof. Indranil Bhattacharya, Prof. Vaibhav Abnave, and visiting faculty Abhijeet Ranadive. The trio started the discussion with a simple yet brief overview into the history of French cinema and the emergence of the New Wave in the post-World War II era. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 中年以降であれば、このゲームは必須です。 BuzzDaily Winners ゲームをプレイ Undo Abnave started the conversation with a brief history into the French cinema and the New Wave came into existence in post-World War era. 'The Cannes Film Festival is linked with the spirit of aesthetics and politics being inseparable from each other.' Ranadive followed up on Abnave's opening by adding that 'it was the need for cinematic revolution in France that spearheaded the French New Wave in France, and later in rest of the world.' He said, 'There was a sense that France was making quality cinema, that was admired throughout the world. Yet there were people felt that there is something wrong with what world cinema was at that time. The people who have grown up after second World War, are more accustomed to the b-grade/gangster style American cinema.' The panellists explored how filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, and Agnès Varda sought to break the rules of traditional storytelling — often using handheld cameras, jump cuts, voiceover narrations, and non-linear structures — and how these techniques found resonance in global and even Indian cinema. Understanding French cinema French cinema, at its core, has often been about pushing boundaries — emotionally, politically, and formally. Whether it is through personal documentaries like Diop's Nous, literary memoirs like Ernaux's The Super 8 Years, or quietly radical works like Varda's Cléo from 5 to 7, French films tend to prioritise character, atmosphere, and social context over spectacle. They are less concerned with resolution and more with exploration — of people, memory, and meaning. As we were talking to the attendees, one of the student-attendees from FTII, who wants to remain anonymous, mentioned that 'he has always looked up to French, German, Italian, Japanese and other major film industries from around the world.' 'We are often reading about them, watching films that left a mark on the world, but it's rare to experience them in a theatre setting, especially with such context and curation,' he added. He also mentioned that 'much like France, India also needs a revolution that will give priority to the art rather than its ability to make money.' The festival, while small in scale, managed to spark big conversations — not just about French cinema, but about the place of meaningful, independent storytelling in today's world. For Pune's community of cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers, it served as a reminder that cinema, at its most powerful, doesn't always need grandeur — it needs honesty, intent, and the courage to challenge form. And that, perhaps, is the enduring legacy of French cinema — a legacy that continues to inspire from Cannes to classrooms.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali on re-release of Umrao Jaan starring Rekha: Even I wouldn't attempt Umrao Jaan again
`Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali believes the 1981 cult movie Umrao Jaan, based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's novel, should not be reinterpreted. As the film prepares for a re-release in theatres later this month, he admits he wouldn't even attempt to remake it. 'Rekha is not easy to find! You don't people with such commitment — what she did, no one else can do today. Every person in the film was as real as Rekha, and she, too, became part of that milieu. It reflected in everything: Shahryar's lyrics, Khayyam's music, Kumudini Lakya's choreography, Asha Bhosle's playback singing, the characterisation, the actors, the cinematography, and the costumes. Everything was crafted in layers,' he says. Muzaffar adds, 'The film has reached such a level that anything new should surpass it. Films aren't made just with budgets; they're made with commitment and passion. I haven't felt that same passion again, and even I wouldn't redo it. Closure is important — you can't make it better than this. It can't be recreated. Others have tried and failed, so why should I? Instead, I'd rather tell new stories with the same passion.' The film has been restored in 4K by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). On the release date (June 27), he will also launch his coffee table book, featuring archival pictures and write-ups, including contributions from Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah. He recalls, 'We shot it for a year in two seasons in 1980. We shot it extensively in and around Lucknow, Faizabad and a set in Mehboob Studio in Mumbai where we created a kotha with original elements (old doors and artifacts) so it became a real place where we can play with lights and shades. Rerelease is a reassurance that the film is alive. The life and warmth I am feeling is very inspiring as people are taking interest and exploring different shades in it. Umrao Jaan was like discovering my inner world, the past and my Lucknow. It was going back in time.' A post shared by PVR Cinemas (@pvrcinemas_official) Next, his dream project Zooni will see the day of the light. 'My son (Shaad Ali, director) has given closure to it. It's now like a dialogue between father and son with a past. The film is being edited now. I have a few scripts ready with me which I will start upon soon.'
India.com
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Made in Rs 50 lakh, this film won 4 National Awards, is set to re-release in theatres, remake was a super flop, lead actors are...
Made in Rs 50 lakh, this film won 4 National Awards, is set to re-release in theatres, remake was a super flop, lead actors are... Film Umrao Jaan , released in 1981, is considered one of Rekha's most compelling and beautiful works. Her portrayal of Amiran, a courtesan-poetess, is regarded as one of the finest performances in Indian cinema's history, earning her National Award for Best Actress. Besides that, the period drama won many accolades, including 3 National Awards, and 2 Filmfare awards for Best Director and Best Music Director. Its evergreen songs like- Dil Cheez Kya Hai, In Aankhon Ki Masti, and Justuju Jiski Thi remains loved across generations. Umrao Jaan was remade in 2006, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles. Well, cinemagoers can now relieve the magic and grandeur of Rekha's Umrao Jaan, as it is set to re-release on the big screen. Not just that, the film will be beautifully showcased, resorted in 4K resolution, which is accomplished by National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Reflecting on the re-release, veteran actress Rekha said, 'Umrao Jaan is not just a film I acted in — she lives within me, breathes through me, even now. At the time, none of us could have imagined the timelessness of the film, the way it would gently etch itself into the soul of Indian cinema. To see it return to the big screen is like watching an old love letter being opened by a new generation. My heart is full.' The Director of cult classic, Muzaffar Ali, also spoke about its re-release. He shared, 'Umrao Jaan was not just a film—it was a journey into the soul of a lost culture, a forgotten tehzeeb. Through her pain, poetry, and grace, we tried to resurrect the elegance of an era where love and longing spoke in verse. I had actors who brought a lot of heft to their characters, and then there was Rekha, who lived Umrao Jaan and truly immortalised it. I am thrilled that the film is back on the big screen for a whole new generation to discover a time and culture that's very much a part of our being.' Bankrolled by SK Jain & Sons and Integrated Films, Umrao Jaan is scheduled to be re-release on 27th June. Apart from Rekha, the film's illustrious cast includes Farooq Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, Shaukat Kaifi, Dina Pathak, Gajanan Jagirdar and Farrukh Jaffar, who marked her acting debut with Umrao Jaan.
