Mumbai’s NFDC campus buzzed with activity as I&B Secretary Chanchal Kumar conducted his inaugural visit post-appointment. This Saturday inspection covered the sprawling National Museum of Indian Cinema and the advanced Indian Institute of Creative Technology, signaling strong governmental support for film preservation and tech innovation.
The NMIC stands as a vibrant homage to Bollywood and regional cinema’s golden eras. Its galleries overflow with posters, costumes, and gadgets from legendary productions, offering interactive experiences that educate and entertain. For scholars, it’s an invaluable archive; for fans, a nostalgic journey.
Kumar delved into special exhibits like those in Gulshan Mahal, repurposed from the ministry’s WAVES-2025 India Pavilion. These showcase preservation drives, highlighting cinema’s role in cultural identity and the meticulous work to digitize and safeguard classics.
At IICT, the emphasis was on future-ready education. Kumar toured classrooms boasting top-tier tech infrastructure, conversed with eager students, and learned about content labs fueling animation, VFX, and XR projects. No creative vision is too ambitious here, thanks to robust hardware support.
Thoughtfully planned spaces—from buzzing collab zones to serene study nooks—cultivate a dynamic learning environment. This setup not only hones skills but propels talent into the booming AVGC sector, aligning with national goals for creative economy leadership.
The event drew key figures: Mumbai’s PIB DG Smita Vats Sharma, NFDC’s Prakash Magdum, IICT’s Dr. Vishwas Devaskar, and CBFC’s Rajendra Singh. Presentations detailed current ventures, reinforcing inter-departmental synergy for cinema’s evolution.
