Prabhat Museum closed since the FTII strike began

Shockingly, the latter has not obtained any approval from the registrar before shutting the museum for such a long period. The board informing the timings and entry fee of the museum too has disappeared from the main gate of the institute.

It was learnt that the gallery has been closed due to “security apprehensions”.

“This is not required. I have instructed the security officer to allow visitors inside the museum. It’s understandable that there were security apprehensions in the beginning of the strike, but now that period is over. The museum will be opened from tomorrow. I have also directed them to re-install the board informing about the timing of the museum,” Bodake told this paper.

The museum houses artifacts, original contracts and partnership deeds of the Prabhat Film Company in addition to costumes, properties, equipment, posters and stills of archival value. Some years ago, it was renovated and opened for general public.

The Prabhat Film Company was founded in 1929 by the noted film director V Shantaram and his friend in Kolhapur. Four years later, it moved its base to Pune in 1933, where it established its own studio and produced a total of 45 films in both Marathi and Hindi over 27 years.

The museum is frequented by film lovers, historians as well as by schoolchildren from across the city.