Goa: The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) kicked off with a captivating blend of art, culture, and history, as the exhibition ‘Safarnama: Evolution of Indian Cinema’ was unveiled today at Kala Academy, Panaji. The exhibition, curated by the Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, is set to offer an immersive experience showcasing the rich cinematic heritage of India.
Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, along with eminent film actor and producer Akkineni Nagarjuna, ceremonially inaugurated the exhibition by cutting the ribbon. The exhibition, open to the public from November 20 to 28, 2024, aims to reach a diverse audience, especially young students, by providing them with a deeper understanding of India’s film history and its cultural significance.
During the inauguration, Jaju reflected on the long and storied history of Indian cinema, which began with the landmark film Raja Harishchandra during the colonial era. “Despite the challenges of colonial rule, India managed to create a cinematic identity that has only evolved and thrived over time,” he noted. He emphasized that ‘Safarnama’ was designed to celebrate this heritage, particularly for younger generations, to spark their interest in the cinematic arts and the cultural legacy embedded in Indian cinema.
Actor Nagarjuna, in his address, spoke about the unifying power of Indian cinema, stressing that cinema, for him, transcends language barriers. He also highlighted the monumental contributions of legendary figures like his father Akkineni Nageswara Rao, along with Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, and Tapan Sinha, whose work has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Indian cinema.
The exhibition features four dedicated galleries celebrating the centenaries of these cinematic icons, with a special focus on their contributions. The galleries showcase rare archival material, including posters, videos, and memorabilia, paying tribute to their lasting impact on the industry. These legends’ works continue to resonate with audiences, bridging the past and the future of Indian cinema.
With cutting-edge technological elements like Projection Mapping, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and interactive features such as Digital Quizzes and Puzzles, the exhibition promises to offer an engaging and educational experience, particularly aimed at students.
In addition to the exhibition, Jaju launched ‘KTB – Bharat Hain Hum’, an animated series on Indian freedom fighters. Season 2 of the series will begin streaming from December 1st across multiple platforms, including Doordarshan, Netflix, Prime Video, and the WAVES OTT platform, which was also introduced at this year’s IFFI. The series will be available in 12 Indian languages and seven international languages, ensuring its reach across 150 countries worldwide. The launch event also saw the release of the series’ signature song, symbolizing the future of Doordarshan and WAVES.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati; Yogesh Baweja, DG of CBC; and creators Munjal Shroff and Tilak Shetty of Graphiti Studios. Mahima Kaul from Netflix India and Shilangi Mukherji from Prime Video were also present to support the series’ launch.
With ‘Safarnama: Evolution of Indian Cinema’ and the launch of ‘KTB – Bharat Hain Hum’, this year’s IFFI has successfully combined a celebration of India’s cinematic legacy with contemporary efforts to engage younger audiences, ensuring that both history and the future of Indian cinema are represented.