Actors Akshay Kumar and Kriti Sanon visited the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai on Sunday, which has reopened to the public after a hiatus, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking about the museum, Kumar said, “I’m overwhelmed to be here. Indeed, it was a pleasure associating with NMIC. I have grown up watching celebrated films over the years, and everybody should come and see this magnificent film museum. I’d say it’s almost like a place of worship for a filmmaker, as the works of legendary filmmakers have been respectfully archived and portrayed here.”
The NMIC was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on January 19, 2019. It showcases the history of India Cinema and displays several artefacts, kiosks, interactive digital screens, information-based screen interfaces, etc.
The museum is housed in two buildings – the new museum building and the 19th-century heritage building, Gulshan Mahal, both located at the films division complex. It has a huge collection of artefacts, including the armour worn by actor Sivaji Ganeshan in the film Veera Pandya Kattabomman and the red coat worn by actor-politician MG Ramchandran in the film Adimai Penn.
Sanon said, “I am so impressed after exploring the museum; its curation is so delightful. I didn’t know Chandralekha was the first South Indian film that became prominent throughout India, inspiring South Indian producers to market their films in North India.” She added that the children’s section was her favourite, since it is activity-based and immersive.
A selfie point was inaugurated at the museum premises on Sunday by Neerja Sekhar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and Ravindar Bhakar, Director General, Films Division. An exhibition was also held there, featuring a collection of 75 vintage cars and bikes.
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The museum is open to the public from 11 am to 6 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays and on public holidays.
Kumar and Sanon are currently awaiting the release of their upcoming film, Bachchan Pandey, directed by Farhad Samji. The film, which was originally slated for a Christmas 2020 release, is finally set to hit theatres on Friday. It also stars actors Pankaj Tripathi and Jacqueline Fernandez in pivotal roles. A remake of the 2014 Tamil film Jigarthanda, the story revolves around a budding director trying to research about a ruthless gangster, in order to make a film on the underworld.