Need young blood to preserve old films

11 November,2009 09:14 AM IST |   |  Vivek Sabnis

NFAI has a staff of only 30 since 10 years, as digital cinematography takes over


NFAI has a staff of only 30 since 10 years, as digital cinematography takes over

An old film deserves to be treasured, but the 45-year-old National Film Archives of India (NFAI), where filmmakers deposit their films for preservation, has been working with a staff of only 30 members since the last 10 years, as young people now prefer to opt for digital cinematography.

The NFAI has 5,000 titles in two vaults in Prabhat Road and Paud Road where black-and-white and coloured films are preserved respectively. Vijay Jadhav, director, NFAI, said, "We have enough funds and space to preserve the films at the required humidity and temperature." But Jadhav pointed out the shortage of staff.

Old school
Kiran Dhiwar, film preservation officer, NFAI, said, "Most of us are from the old school of electronic technology, which is being replaced by digital technology of film making. The young lot is only interested in digital technology, but we are ready to train people."

Collection
NFAI has over 1,000 negatives of old films by Bombay Lab, while 400 from Film Centre Lab from famous studio is currently being deposited. National Film Development Corporation and Films Division have also deposited their films.

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National Film Archives of India Vijay Jadhav Pune