Pune: Iconic Raj Kapoor film rolls moved to National Film Archives of India

The Kapoors at the inaugural function of the film festival

Even though the fire at the Chembur-based RK studio had wiped away almost all that the Kapoor family cherished, the inaugural ceremony of the 16th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) revealed that they still have some of those treasures left with them. On Thursday, the Kapoor family submitted rolls of 23 iconic Raj Kapoor movies to National Film Archives of India (NFAI) director Prakash Magdum at the PIFF inaugural function in Pune.

The film festival, which is scheduled to start at the Kothrud Multiplex City Pride on Thursday, is being held in collaboration with the Pune Film Foundation and state government. Sudhir Mungantiwar, finance and planning and forest minister, inaugurated the festival. During the event, a special section - Raj Kapoor Retrospective - was organised in remembrance of all that was lost in the fire. Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor were present at the event to hand over the film rolls to be preserved by the NFAI.

Speaking on the occasion, the Kapoors said, "Raj Kapoor still has his heart in Pune, as most of his movies - Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Prem Rog and others - were shot here. These film rolls are like treasures, and we definitely want the next generation to know about them. We're giving away our most valuable possessions and hope that they are preserved well."

Speaking to mid-day, Mugdum said, "It's a pleasure to have these treasures. I'm glad that we've got an opportunity to preserve the rolls of such iconic movies." Meanwhile, the state forest and finance departments handed over a cheque of Rs 11.50 lakh to PIFF. Mungantiwar said, "Films have a huge impact on people's lives and they make a difference."

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