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This is an archive article published on February 3, 2023

With Amitabh Bachchan, Christopher Nolan as talking heads, docu at PIFF to trace history of cinema

Audiences can find a direct relation between Bisht’s 2014 film, In Search of Fading Canvas, about the lost practice of making film posters by hand, and Bhavishya ki Talash Atit Mein: Back to the Future, which shows how digital technology killed the celluloid and resulted in technicians suffering and single-screen halls closing down, among others.

Written by: Dipanita Nath
3 min readPuneUpdated: Feb 3, 2023 12:10 PM IST
Back to the Future PIFFIn Bhavishya ki Talash Atit Mein: Back to the Future, a number of people who worked in the celluloid era, such as film editors, camerapersons and performers such as Bachchan, speak about their experiences and the transition to the digital media.
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In a slum in Mumbai, national award-winning filmmaker Manohar Bisht came across a young man who goes around the country buying boxes of old celluloid reels that are being discarded by studios and families. He makes jewellery and other artefacts from the ‘raw material’. “He is, literally, cutting up old films that are a part of cinema history because nobody wants to preserve them anymore,” says Bisht. It is with shots of scissors running across old celluloid that Bisht begins his 87-minute documentary, Bhavishya ki Talash Atit Mein: Back to the Future, which is a study of the journey of cinema from analogue to digital.

The film will be screened at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) on February 3, 12.30 pm, at PVR: The Pavilion Mall, Auditorium 6.

“I consider PIFF to be one of the most prominent and prestigious film festivals in the world. Jabbar Patel, who is the chairman and director of PIFF and Vishal Shinde, the deputy director (Programme and Films) are both filmmakers in their own right. So, it is an honour to be showing my film here. Through the film, I have tried to critically analyse if digital technology is good, bad or both. It is an issue that draws out questions, answers, sighs and pauses,” says Bisht, over the phone from Mumbai.

An officer with the Films Division, which has merged with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Bisht has made a number of documentaries, including short films on eminent personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan and K Balachander. But, audiences can find a direct relation between Bisht’s 2014 film, In Search of Fading Canvas, about the lost practice of making film posters by hand, and Bhavishya ki Talash Atit Mein: Back to the Future, which shows how digital technology has killed the celluloid, affected the technicians and led to the closure of single-screen halls, among others. Both films highlight the traditions of cinema that have disappeared and their impact on people. In Search of Fading Canvas won him the Special Jury award at the 63rd National Film Awards in 2016.

In Bhavishya ki Talash Atit Mein: Back to the Future, a number of people who worked in the celluloid era, such as film editors, camerapersons and performers such as Bachchan, speak about their experiences and the transition to digital media. Hollywood director Christopher Nolan talks about still making films on celluloid.

“One of the problems with the digital age is archiving. While celluloid could be preserved, digital is saved in disks, drives and the cloud, which sounds risky because nothing is tangible. The Cloud, for instance, should be monitored else, one day our work could disappear,” says Bisht.

Dipanita Nath
Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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