Boasting iconic movies dating back to the 19th century, the legacy of Indian cinema is as rich as it’s varied. Now, a new museum dedicated to it — the National Museum of Indian Cinema — chronicles the illustrious past of one of the world’s biggest entertainment industries.
Located in south Mumbai inside the Films Division complex, the museum takes visitors on a journey through a century of Indian films. The museum has been curated into nine sections under the following themes — origin of cinema, studio era, impact of World War II, creative resonance, new wave and beyond, and regional cinema. The museum documents movies across India with feature films in over 22 languages.
It also demonstrates — using simple techniques for the layman — the advancements in motion picture technology, and how it has impacted production and post-production work. The museum even displays artefacts and animation techniques used by the iconic film-maker Dadasaheb Phalke. One can bring their kids to the museum, which has a dedicated area for them to explore the science and technology behind film-making.