Aamir Khan’s PK Is One of the Last Few Films to Be Shot on Celluloid in Indian Cinema; Rajkumar Hirani Directorial Enters NFAI Collection

National award-winning filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani's blockbuster PK (2014) -- one of the last few films to be shot on celluloid in Indian cinema -- has entered the National Film Archives of India (NFAI) collection, top officials said here on Tuesday. Hirani called on NFAI Director Prakash Magdum and handed over the original camera negative of 'PK', a socio-political satire centred around an alien who's stranded on Earth played by Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan’s Daughter Ira Khan Papped Walking Hand-in-Hand With Boyfriend Nupur Shikhare (Watch Video).

Directed, edited and written by Hirani and co-produced with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, 'PK' is also one of the last few films shot on celluloid in the country as film production transited to the digital format from 2013-2014 onwards. Besides the original camera negative, Hirani also handed over around 300 cans consisting of rushes of the film. The out-takes of his earlier blockbuster, '3 Idiots', were also handed over to the NFAI for preservation. Aamir Khan Reacts To His Divorce From Kiran Rao, Says ‘There’s Change In Our Relationship But We Are Still Together’ (Watch Video).

A lot of paper material comprising posters, lobby cards and photographs of the films directed by Hirani will also be handed over to the NFAI. Prior to this, the original negatives of Hirani's earlier mega-films like 'Munnabhai MBBS' (2003), 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' (2006) and '3 Idiots' (2009) are also preserved at the NFAI, Magdum revealed.

"We are happy to continue our association with Hirani. His earlier acclaimed films are also being preserved at the NFAI. It is wonderful to add 'PK' to our collection, especially because it was one of the last few films to be shot on celluloid," said Magdum. Expressing his pleasure at the NFAI plans to preserve 'PK' for posterity, Hirani said it is the duty of a filmmaker to ensure that the films are kept for future generations, as he appealed to all filmmakers to support the NFAI in this important cause.

An alumnus of FTII, Pune, Nagpur-born Hirani, 58, is among the major contemporary Indian filmmakers who has carved a niche for himself with his distinct filmography, tackling ticklish social subjects in a light-hearted manner and providing a new perspective to the extant issues.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2021 07:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).