The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has taken a step toward celebrating India’s cinematic heritage with the inauguration of ‘Safarnama: Evolution of Indian Cinema’, a multimedia exhibition set up by the Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The event, held at the Kala Academy in Panaji, Goa, was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, alongside actor-producer Shri Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao.
The exhibition pays tribute to the evolution of Indian cinema, beginning with Raja Harishchandra, India’s first film. Shri Jaju emphasized that the initiative seeks to honor the country’s rich cinematic tradition and inspire younger generations by showcasing its cultural heritage. The exhibition features four galleries dedicated to the centenary celebrations of cinematic legends Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Tapan Sinha, and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, displaying rare archival materials, posters, and memorabilia.
Shri Nagarjuna, speaking at the event, highlighted the universality of Indian cinema, transcending language barriers, and reflected on the lasting legacy of cinematic pioneers like his father Akkineni Nageswara Rao and other luminaries.
The exhibition, open to the public from November 20 to 28, 2024, integrates modern technologies such as projection mapping, virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive digital features, making it a dynamic educational experience, especially for school students.
Adding to the festivities, Shri Jaju launched KTB – Bharat Hain Hum, Animation Series Season-2, an animated series on freedom fighters. Streaming from December 1 on platforms like Doordarshan, Netflix, Prime Video, and WAVES, the series will be available in 12 Indian languages and seven international languages, reaching audiences in 150 countries. A signature song celebrating the tradition of Doordarshan and marking the future of WAVES, Prasar Bharati’s new OTT initiative, was also unveiled during the event.
