NFAI adds unfinished films of Ritwik Ghatak to its collection

These films are “Kato Ajanare” (1959, 8 reels), “Bangar Banga Darshan” (1963, 4 reels) and “Ranger Ghulam” (1968, 3 reels).

Drawing inspiration from the partition themed films by Ritwik Ghatak, director Gautam Ghosh will portray the angst of the people living near the Indo-Bangladesh border in “Sankhachil”.

This apart, in 2016 NFAI’s acquisitions included a booklet of Ghatak’s film “Titash Ekti Nadir Naam” (1973), photographs of filmstar-turned politician Jayalalitha in the film “Shehzadi Mumtaz” (1977), photographs of one of the first sound films made in Marathi, “Sant Tukaram” (1932), poster of Amitabh Bachchan’s unreleased film “Zamanat” and photographs and press clippings of the first Assamese film “Joymati” (1935).

In all, 7,500 photographs, 4,000 posters and 2,500 song booklets were added to NFAI collection this year. Prakash Magdum, Director, NFAI, said, “NFAI has almost all of Ghatak’s films and these unfinished works of his filled the gap. We are thankful to Government of West Bengal and Ritwik Ghatak Memorial Trust for facilitating this.”