Indian Film Icons Raj Kapoor, ANR, Mohammed Rafi, Tapan Sinha to Get Centenary Tribute at IFFI

As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this year’s International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has truly outdone itself. The tribute program to honor the 100th birth anniversaries of four Indian cinema legends is nothing short of spectacular.


The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is preparing a comprehensive homage to celebrate the 100th birthdays of four iconic figures in Indian cinema: actor-director Raj Kapoor, director Tapan Sinha, acting legend Akkineni Nageswara Rao from Telugu cinema, and renowned singer Mohammed Rafi.

For the upcoming 55th installment, the festival plans to showcase remastered versions of iconic films from esteemed directors such as Kapoor’s “Awaara”, Sinha’s “Harmonium”, ANR’s “Devadasu”, and “Hum Dono” with Rafi’s melodious voice. The National Film Development Corporation, in collaboration with the National Film Archive of India, has taken on the task of restoring these timeless cinematic pieces to their original visual brilliance.

IFFI has planned unique tributes for each prominent figure, with the homage to ANR happening on November 22, Kapoor’s on November 24, Rafi’s on November 26, and Sinha’s on November 27.

The planned events for the festival encompass talks led by prominent personalities and relatives in the industry, shedding light on the artists’ influence within Indian cinema. An exclusive showcase of unique photographs and collectibles will be presented, while an intricate sand sculpture will be crafted by Sudarshan Pattnaik at Kala Academy.

The festivities encompass music as well, showcasing a “Caravan of Songs” consisting of 150 compositions by Kapoor and Rafi, along with 75 tracks related to Sinha and ANR. In addition, IFFI will issue special postage stamps and bilingual booklets detailing the careers of each legendary figure.

The Entertainment Area at the festival will feature themed events and digital presentations, highlighting the impact of each artist on the Indian film industry. This celebration is intended to display the cultural relevance of these personalities to modern spectators, as well as safeguard their work for future admirers.

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) takes place from November 20th to the 28th. During this same period, it also hosts Film Bazaar, which is South Asia’s premier film market, running from November 20th to the 24th.

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2024-11-04 12:46