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Muzaffar Ali Donates Rare 'Anjuman' Print to NFDC for Film Heritage

Veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali has donated a rare print of his 1986 film 'Anjuman' to the NFDC-National Film Archive of India. He emphasized the fragility of celluloid and the critical importance of preserving cinematic works for future generations. The film, which sensitively portrays the lives of women in Lucknow's chikankari craft, was an official selection at several international festivals. NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum stated this donation aligns with the government's National Film Heritage Mission to safeguard India's film legacy.

Key Points: Muzaffar Ali Donates Rare 'Anjuman' Film to NFDC-NFAI

  • Rare film print donation
  • Preservation of cinematic heritage
  • Part of National Film Heritage Mission
  • Film shot in old Lucknow
  • Highlights chikankari artisans
2 min read

Director Muzaffar Ali donates rare copy of his film 'Anjuman' to NFDC-NFAI

Veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali donates a rare print of his film 'Anjuman' to the National Film Archive to preserve India's cinematic heritage.

"Losing that beauty to time is terrible. NFDC's work... is like a breath of fresh air. - Muzaffar Ali"

Mumbai, January 9

Veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali has donated a rare copy of his film 'Anjuman' to the NFDC-NFAI as part of ongoing efforts to preserve India's cinematic heritage.

The print was formally handed over by Muzaffar Ali to Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), in New Delhi.Anjuman was an official selection of the Indian Panorama in 1986 and was also part of the prestigious Vancouver Film Festival and Tehran Film Festival. The film was extensively shot in old Lucknow, with principal cinematography by Ishan Arya, read a press note.

Ali said, "Anjuman was one of the steps that followed Gaman, Aagaman, and Umrao Jaan. I think the NFDC-NFAI's work under the National Film Heritage Mission is extremely valuable for the film world -- especially for filmmakers. The celluloid medium is very fragile. When the image starts fading, it is heartbreaking, because every frame is crafted with such care for colour and design. Losing that beauty to time is terrible. NFDC's work in the field of preservation and conservation is like a breath of fresh air. This isn't a business; it's about building bridges. Only the larger vision of a nation can make this happen."

He added, "If I donate my film reels, I see a future -- not just for the film, but for the many hungry eyes who would like to experience the beauty of Anjuman. For me, Anjuman is an exquisitely coloured, crafted cinematic document, and losing it would be a terrible thing.Now it's a relief to see that these films can find a future -- that they can be restored by the NFDC-National Film Archive of India. The least I could do was to work with the Archive and offer my print."

Prakash Magdum said that it is very important to preserve the country's cinematic heritage for future generations and the National Film Heritage Mission of the Government of India, implemented by NFDC-NFAI is a major step towards that direction.

Notably, lead actress Shabana Azmi sang her own playback songs for the film under the music direction of Khayyam, with lyrics by Shahryar and the late Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The film sensitively portrays the lives of women engaged in the chikankari craft of Lucknow and highlights the socio-economic exploitation faced by artisans despite the finesse of their work.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
More filmmakers should follow Muzaffar Ali sahab's example. So many classics from the 70s and 80s are just rotting away in godowns. NFDC-NFAI is doing crucial work, but they need more funding and public support.
D
David E
As someone interested in world cinema, it's heartening to see this. 'Anjuman' was screened at Vancouver and Tehran festivals - it has international appeal. Preserving such works allows global audiences to access India's rich storytelling traditions beyond just Bollywood.
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Aman W
The cast and crew alone - Shabana Azmi, Khayyam Sahab, poetry by Faiz! This is a landmark film. I remember my parents talking about it. Hope the NFDC makes these restored films available for the public to watch easily, maybe on a streaming platform.
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Priyanka N
While this is positive, I do hope the preservation work is transparent and efficient. Sometimes government missions get bogged down in bureaucracy. The "hungry eyes" Ali sir mentions deserve to see these films sooner rather than later.
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Karthik V
Films like these are important social documents. Highlighting the exploitation of chikankari artisans is still relevant today. Preservation isn't just about art, it's about preserving our social history. Kudos to the team.

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