The Hindu : New Delhi News : A rare collection of rare films

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

A rare collection of rare films

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: It's clearly a masterstroke to keep cinema lovers hooked on to absorbing cinema. Habitat Film Club in association with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Rudraa Entertainment released two exclusive discs titled "Master Strokes" -- with 20 select films -- at India Habitat Centre here over the weekend.

A rare collection of the first films of established masters and stars of Indian cinema, the DVD reveals the creative genius of many of the filmmakers who share a common legacy with the FTII in Pune that is considered a centre of excellence not only in the country but also in Asia and Europe. S.K. Arora, Secretary, Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, launched the DVD in the presence of Tripurari Sharan, FTII Director, and Subash Chheda, Director Rudraa Entertainment.

The DVD has a selection of 20 of the best first films made during the past 45 years, from yesteryears' actress Jaya Bhaduri in Madan Bavaria's "Suman", prolific filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Murder at Monkey Hill" to Kranti Kanade's "Chaitra" and Pankaj Purandare's "Dwijaa". Master Strokes also features some outstanding national and international award-winning diploma films and documentaries such as "A Day With the Builders" by C.J.Paulose (1973), "Man Vs. Man" by Shashi Anand (1981) and "Bodhivriksha" by Rajan Khosa (1985). Habitat Film Club is trying to source the best-unseen movies with the help of FTII.

"We first look at exploring and bringing forth the first movies of the established masters from the film fraternity. And from there we intend to move into the international realm of classic movies," says IHC Programme Director Vidyun Singh.

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