National Film Archive of India

The National Film Archive of India is an institutional repository in Pune that collects and preserves thousands of films, scripts, photographs, and historical cinema documents. The collection spans materials from different decades of Indian film history.

The institution was established in 1964 under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to preserve the evolution of Indian cinema. A fire in 2003 destroyed over 600 films, including early works by pioneers of Indian filmmaking.

The archive showcases films in many Indian languages and documents regional cinema traditions across the country. Visitors can experience the range of Indian film production across different time periods in its screening rooms.

Researchers and professionals can access the archive's materials through a membership program that includes specialized screening rooms and documentation services. Visitors should inquire in advance about access requirements, as not all areas are open to the public.

The archive holds rare silent films from the beginnings of Indian cinema, some found nowhere else in the world. These early works show the experimental nature of filmmaking in India before the era of sound films.