100 years of Indian cinema

Today is 3rd May when the Indian film industry celebrates 100 years of its existence. For it was on this very day a hundred years ago the Father of Indian Cinema Dadasaheb Phalke released India’s first film <em>Raja Harishchandra</em> in theatres. On this momentous occasion, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has released the limited edition of a coffee table book titled <em>Tracing Phalke</em>, researched, compiled and written by Kamal Swaroop, a film, television and radio director and screenwriter, more popularly known for his masterwork Om-Dar-B-Dar (1988).

Aamir Khan is gung ho that his completion of 25 years in the industry that started with the release of <em>Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak</em> in 1988, coincides with the centenary year of Indian cinema. "My completion of 25 years in the industry coincides with 100 years of cinema and it makes me feel all the more special,” quipped the actor. He was speaking at a meet-the-press event held in honour of this Mr. Perfectionist having completed 25 years in the industry.

Contrary to reports that Aamir Khan has been roped into a special extra segment for Bombay Talkies, the 4-episode film directed by Dibakar Bannerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap, the star-actor is actually part of a special theme song to commemorate 100 years of Indian cinema which will be part of the film.

Miles away from Indian shores, across continents, a centenary celebration of Indian cinema has been planned in Marrakech, the third largest city of the African Nation, Morocco. The gala, that will kick off on December 1 (2012), will see an Indian delegation led by Amitabh Bachchan comprising of film actors like Hrithik Roshan, Tabu, Abhay Deol, Arjun Rampal, Priyanka Chopra, Sridevi among others.