Prelims: (Polity + CA)
Mains: (GS 2 – Governance) |
Why in News ?
In response to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting informed that 1,469 film titles, amounting to nearly 4.3 lakh minutes of cinematic content, have been digitised so far under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM).
Background & Context
India is one of the world’s largest film-producing nations, with over a century of cinematic history spread across multiple languages and regions. However, much of this heritage has remained vulnerable due to:
- Ageing and deteriorating celluloid film reels
- Poor storage conditions
- Technological obsolescence
Recognising cinema as an important component of India’s cultural heritage, the government launched the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) to systematically restore, preserve, and digitise India’s film legacy for future generations.
What is the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) ?
- Launched: 2015
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
- Implementing Agency: National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune
The mission is India’s first comprehensive, structured effort to safeguard the nation’s cinematic heritage using modern archival and digital technologies.
Key Objectives of NFHM
- Condition Assessment:
- Scientific evaluation of film reels to determine deterioration and remaining lifespan
- Restoration & Preservation:
- 2K/4K digital picture and sound restoration of landmark Indian films
- Creation of new picture and sound inter-negatives for long-term preservation
- Digitisation:
- Conversion of analog films into high-quality digital formats for archival and access purposes
- Archival Infrastructure:
- Construction of modern film vaults with controlled temperature and humidity
- Capacity Building:
- Training programmes and workshops for archival professionals
- Strengthening in-house technical expertise
- Digital Management:
- Development of a web-based, end-to-end IT solution for cataloguing, tracking, and managing film assets
Progress Achieved Under NFHM
- 1,469 film titles digitised
- Approximately 4.3 lakh minutes of restored and digitised film content
- Covers classics across languages, regions, and genres
- Helps prevent permanent loss of culturally significant films
National Film Archive of India (NFAI): Key Facts
- Established: February 1964
- Status: Media unit under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
- Headquarters: Pune
- Regional Centres: Bengaluru, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram
- International Linkage: Member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) since 1969
Mandate & Functions:
- Acquisition and preservation of India’s cinematic heritage
- Conservation of:
- Celluloid films
- Stills, posters, lobby cards
- Glass slides, scripts, song booklets
- Promotion of film culture through:
- Screenings and retrospectives
- Film appreciation courses
- Research and academic engagement
Significance of NFHM
- Preserves cinema as a living cultural memory
- Supports academic research, film studies, and cultural education
- Enables future digital access to classic Indian films
- Strengthens India’s cultural diplomacy and soft power
- Aligns with broader goals of Digital India and heritage digitisation
FAQs
Q1. What is the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) ?
It is a government initiative launched in 2015 to restore, preserve, and digitise India’s film heritage.
Q2. Which agency implements NFHM?
The National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune.
Q3. How many films have been digitised under NFHM so far?
1,469 titles, covering around 4.3 lakh minutes of film content.
Q4. Why is digitisation of films important?
It prevents irreversible loss due to deterioration of celluloid, ensures long-term preservation, and enables wider access.
Q5. What role does NFAI play beyond preservation?
NFAI also promotes film culture through screenings, training, research, and film appreciation programmes.
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