NFDC classics like Salaam Bombay, Mammo, Gaman, Mirch Masala, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan, Naseem, Raghu Romeo and Dharavi will be screened at two venues in Mumbai

NFDC India is coming up with its Cinema Outreach Initiative, Film Aaj Kal, a radio show as well as the Ground-Activation event – Film Aaj Kal Screenings and Conversations to build film communities and empower the viewer.

As part of the 360-degree initiative, NFDC collaborates with 92.7 Big FM for a weekly radio show named, ‘Film Aaj Kal’ on Cinema Education and Awareness program which has filmmakers discussing classics, bringing these films back to the fore.

The ground activation event is ‘Film Aaj Kal Screenings & Conversations’ – in which the very films will be screened from July 15 to August 15, 2017. The exhibition partners are Harkat Studios in Aram Nagar and G5A Centre for Contemporary Culture at Lower Parel and the online booking partner is 1018mb.

Film Aaj Kal is not just about exploring alternative audiences. It’s also about exploring alternate spaces, alternate distribution platforms, and booking and communication platforms.

The radio show that plays on Sundays on 92.7 Big FM from 4pm – 6pm is hosted by a hugely popular star RJ and cinephile, Siddharth Mishra and is designed as a series of conversations between filmmakers discussing about the NFDC classics evoking a renewed interest in the films.

One of the episodes showcased, Gaman & Taxi No. 9211 as films that look at Mumbai through the eyes of a cab driver – both from different eras, in varied styles, addressing different class issues as well – but with an underlying subtext of the immigrant. Another episode was around Salaam Bombay and Chameli –  Mira Nair and Sudhir Mishra chatted about the way they approached the Brothel and the Underbelly story.

As of 3rd July 2017, the show has aired 6 Episodes.

  1. 28th May – Gaman and Taxi No.9211. Speakers – Muzaffar Ali (telephonic) and Milan Luthria
  2. 4th June – Gandhi and Hey Ram. Speakers – Alyque Padamsee (telephonic) and Kamal Haasan (telephonic)
  3. 11th June – Salaam Bombay and Chameli. Speakers – Mira Nair (telephonic) and Sudhir Mishra
  4. 18th June – Raghu Romeoand Phas Gaye re Obama. Speakers – Rajat Kapoor and Subhash Kapoor
  5. 25th June – Dharaviand Slumdog Millionaire. Speakers – Sudhir Mishra and Saurabh Shukla
  6. 2nd July – Pestonjee and Being Cyrus. Speakers – Vijaya Mehta and Homi Adajania​

This idea is to bring together the community to watch films together and then talk cinema over 1 glass of Nimbu paani, 1 cup of tea/coffee or those chutney sandwiches! Film Aaj Kal Screenings and Conversations gives not just the viewers but also the discerning filmmaker & cineaste alike to explore alternate film destinations and also actively engage in conversations around cinema – and not just limit those discussions to a Master-Class or a workshop.

The current schedule for the event is listed as follows:

Venue – Harkat Studios

         ​15 July​, Sat ​- 7.00 pm – Opening Session & Screening of Om Dar-B-Dar

         16 July, Sun – 4.00 PM – Mammo

         21 July – Fri – 7.00 PM – Dharavi

         22 July – Sat – 12.00 PM – Salaam Bombay

         22 July – Sat – 4.00 PM – Gaman

         22 July – Sat – 7.30 PM – Mirch Masala

         23 July – Sun – 4.00 PM – Jaane bhi do yaaron

         30 July – Sun – 12.00 PM – Raghu Romeo

​Venue – G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture

         29 July – 4.00 PM –  ​Inauguration of the Saeed Akhtar Mirza Retrospective and ​screening of the Opening Film (TBD)

         ​30 July – 12.00 PM – Arvind Desai ki ajeeb dastaan

         30 July – 4.00 PM – Naseem

         30 July – 6.00 PM – Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro