3,000 films to be digitised under film heritage mission: Soni

Kolkata: The central government is planning to digitise 3,000 films including classics of Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said Friday.

"The government has moved forward to set up a National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM). We have been given Rs.660 crore for this endeavour. It will also help in preserving the invaluable prints in possession of the information ministry and other state governments. The greatest benefit of this mission will be to enable the preservation of the invaluable film heritage," Soni said. She said 3,000 classics will be acquired and digitised so that the films are available to the masses at affordable rates. "As a part of the process, 3,000 films will be acquired and digitised. The 3,000 prints will be restored and transferred to intra negatives under the scheme and will be available at affordable rates to the public," said Soni at the convocation of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). "As part of the restoration process, the ministry restored the print of Mrinal Sen`s classic "Khandar". The restored print was shown at a special screening in Cannes International Film Festival," said Soni, adding they will now be looking to restore the classics of maestro Satyajit Ray. IANS