**Executive Summary**
The document reports on the screening of five restored documentary classics at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) on June 19, 2026. Restored under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), these films were showcased to preserve India's cinematic legacy and make historical content accessible to modern audiences. The initiative underscores the commitment of the NFDC-NFAI to safeguard the nation’s audiovisual heritage.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Restoration and Festival Showcase**
* Five landmark documentaries from the NFDC-NFAI collection were featured in a special non-competition section titled "NFAI Presents – Restored Classics."
* The films were revived through the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), a flagship Government of India initiative.
* The screenings aim to offer contemporary audiences an opportunity to revisit significant historical moments and personalities.
* **Featured Biographical Documentaries**
* **Mahatma: Life of Gandhi 1869–1948 (Part I):** A 1968 English-language film directed by Vithalbhai K. Jhaveri using extensive archival footage.
* **Begum Akhtar:** A 1971 documentary directed by N.K. Issar capturing the life and artistry of the "Mallika-e-Ghazal."
* **Ravi Shankar:** A 1970 biopic directed by Pramod Pati exploring the creative journey of the legendary sitar maestro.
* **Cultural and Social Portraits**
* **Portrait of a City:** A 1961 film by Chidananda Dasgupta depicting the rhythm of life in Calcutta through its industries, rivers, and streets.
* **Our Original Inhabitants:** A 1953 documentary by Jagat Murari highlighting the cultural practices and traditions of 172 Indian tribal groups.
* **Institutional Preservation Goals**
* NFDC Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum emphasized that film preservation is essential for keeping cinematic history accessible to future generations.
* The project utilizes state-of-the-art restoration to revive films while maintaining their original cinematic character.
* The initiative reinforces MIFF's role as a platform for both contemporary filmmaking and historical preservation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Audiences and Cinema Enthusiasts**
**Impact**
They gain access to high-quality, restored versions of landmark films that chronicle India's cultural and social heritage.
**Action Required**
Engage with the festival screenings and use social media tags like #MIFF2026 to share interest in the restored classics.
**NFDC-NFAI / National Film Heritage Mission**
**Impact**
The successful screening reaffirms their role as custodians of India's audiovisual history and highlights the effectiveness of their restoration initiatives.
**Action Required**
Continue the preservation and state-of-the-art restoration of archival footage to ensure it remains available for future international and domestic festivals.
**Journalists, Bloggers, and Vloggers**
**Impact**
They are provided with specialized content, press releases, and high-quality imagery for reporting on the festival’s heritage section.
**Action Required**
Reach out to miff.mediadesk@pib.gov.in with the subject line "Take One with PIB" to arrange interviews or interactions with filmmakers.
Key Entities Referenced
National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM): A flagship initiative of the Government of India dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the nation's cinematic legacy.
National Film Development Corporation–National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI): The primary organization responsible for safeguarding India's audiovisual heritage and managing the collection of restored documentary classics.
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026): The 19th edition of the international film festival serving as the platform for showcasing preserved cinematic works.
Films Division: The erstwhile government production body whose archival documentaries serve as the primary subjects for restoration and preservation.
Restored Documentary
Classics from NFDC-NFAI
Collection enthrall audiences
at MIFF 2026
Heritage documentaries on Gandhi, Begum
Akhtar and Pt. Ravi Shankar shine at MIFF
Mumbai, 19 June 2026
Five restored documentary classics from the National Film Development Corporation–National Film
Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI) collection were showcased at the 19th Mumbai International Film
Festival (MIFF 2026) under the special non-competition section, "NFAI Presents – Restored
Classics." All the selected films have been restored under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM),
the Government of India's flagship initiative dedicated to preserving and restoring the nation's
cinematic legacy.
The curated package, screened on Wednesday evening, featured five landmark documentaries
produced by the erstwhile Films Division. Together, these films chronicle India's cultural, artistic and
social heritage, offering contemporary audiences an opportunity to revisit significant moments and
personalities from the country's past.
Three of the documentaries focus on iconic personalities Mahatma Gandhi, Begum Akhtar and Pandit
Ravi Shankar. The other two documentaries are a cinematic representation of Calcutta and India's
tribal communities.
Mahatma: Life of Gandhi 1869–1948 (Part I)
Directed by Vithalbhai K. Jhaveri and produced in 1968, this English-language documentary draws
extensively from archival footage to present a comprehensive account of the life and work of Mahatma
Gandhi. The film offers a valuable historical record of the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi.Begum Akhtar
Produced by Films Division and directed by N.K. Issar in 1971, this English-language documentary
portrays various facets of the life and artistry of the legendary singer Begum Akhtar, revered as the
Mallika-e-Ghazal. Through intimate visuals from her home, in presence of family members, and stage
performances, the film captures the essence of the celebrated Ghazal and Thumri artist.
Ravi Shankar
Directed by Pramod Pati and produced in 1970, this documentary biopic explores the life and creative
journey of the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. Through interviews and recital footage,
the film presents the many dimensions of the classical musician, composer and cultural ambassador of
Indian music.Portrait of a City
Directed by Chidananda Dasgupta in 1961, this documentary offers a compelling cinematic portrait of
the then Calcutta. Through visuals of factories, newspaper offices, rivers and racecourses,
accompanied by music, ambient sound and incidental dialogue, the film captures the rhythm and
character of life in a bustling city.
Our Original Inhabitants
Directed by Jagat Murari and produced in 1953, this English-language documentary introduces
audiences to India's diverse tribal communities. In less than 12 minutes, the film highlights the
distinctive cultural practices, attires, ornaments, music and dance traditions of some of the 172 tribal
groups spread across the country.Speaking during a session held on the sidelines of the screenings, Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing
Director of NFDC, underscored the importance of preserving films for future generations. He noted
that film preservation ensures cinematic history remains accessible to newer audiences and future
generations, and pointed out that many leading international film festivals today feature dedicated
sections for restored classics.
The inclusion of these films at MIFF 2026 highlights the enduring significance of the Films Division
archives, one of the world's richest repositories of documentary and non-fiction cinema. Through
state-of-the-art restoration undertaken under the National Film Heritage Mission, these films have
been revived for contemporary audiences while preserving their original cinematic character.
The screenings reaffirm NFDC-NFAI's commitment to safeguarding India's audiovisual heritage and
making it accessible to future generations. Their presentation at MIFF 2026 also reinforces the
festival's role as a platform that celebrates both contemporary documentary filmmaking and the
preservation of India's rich cinematic legacy.
Click here to access the press releases and high-quality photos of daily events at MIFF.
* * *
PIB Team MIFF | Nikita Joshi/Sriyanka Chatterjee/Darshana Rane
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help spread your passion! For journalists, bloggers, and vloggers
wanting to connect with filmmakers for interviews/interactions,
reach out to us at miff.mediadesk@pib.gov.in with the subject
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