Amitabh Bachchan lauds Film Heritage Foundation for recognising contribution of projectionists

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has lauded Film Heritage Foundation for recognising the contribution of projectionists to the history of Indian cinema.

The foundation has instituted a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection’ to celebrate the “unsung heroes” of the film industry.

In a video message, Bachchan said, “The world of a projector, a beam of light in a dark room theatre, and flicker of images on the big screen. That was, what cinema was for me.”

“As the fate of single-screen cinemas, unfortunately, hangs by a thread, many of these projectionists have lost their livelihood. It is important to remember and recognise their immense contribution to the history of Indian cinema,” he added.

Bachchan said that he remembers the projectionists who worked on his films, and how they would go to great lengths to ensure that the film was screened perfectly.

“They would work tirelessly, even under difficult conditions, to make sure that the audience had a good viewing experience. They are the unsung heroes of Indian cinema, and it is time that we recognised their contribution,” he said.

The Film Heritage Foundation has been working to preserve and restore Indian cinema for over a decade. The foundation has restored over 2,500 films, and its work has been recognised by the UNESCO.

The ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection’ is the foundation’s latest initiative to recognise the contribution of the people who work behind the scenes in the film industry.

The award will be presented to a projectionist who has made a significant contribution to the field of cinema projection. The award will be given every year at the foundation’s annual film festival.