Mother India, Devdas, DDLJ, Jodhaa Akbar, More To Be Screened At The Academy Museum

For the first time in the history of Indian cinema, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles will present "Emotion in Colour: A Kaleidoscope of Indian Cinema," a curated selection of 12 iconic films from India, running from March 7 to April 19, 2025.

This groundbreaking series has been thoughtfully curated by acclaimed filmmaker and preservationist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, the founding director of Film Heritage Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving India’s cinematic legacy. The program explores the evolution of color in Indian cinema and its transformative role in shaping visual storytelling and emotional resonance.

The series aims to emphasize the vast richness and diversity of Indian cinema, spanning decades, regions, languages, and genres. Featured films encapsulate the grandeur of period dramas, the defiant voices of feminist narratives during colonial rule, and the hopes of a newly independent nation. They delve into intricate political dramas, the escapist joy of romance, and reflective works of Parallel and experimental cinema.

The eclectic selection includes celebrated masterpieces such as ‘Mother India’, ‘Manthan’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Ishanou, Kummatty’, Mirch Masala, ‘Devdas, ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Kanchenjungha’, ‘Maya Darpan’ and ‘Iruvar’, each offering a unique lens into Indian cinema’s extraordinary relationship with color, culture and storytelling.

This series stands as a monumental showcase, introducing audiences to the artistry and heritage of Indian filmmaking, while celebrating its kaleidoscopic beauty, vibrancy and cultural depth.

THE FILM SCREENINGS

Saturday, March 7 – Mother India (Hindi / 1957) – directed by Mehboob Khan

Monday, March 10 – Manthan (Hindi / 1976) – directed by Shyam Benegal

Monday, March 10 – Amar Akbar Anthony (Hindi / 1977) – directed by Manmohan Desai

Tuesday, March 11 – Ishanou (Manipuri./ 1990) – directed by Aribam Syam Sharma

Friday, March 14 – Kummatty (Malayalam / 1979) – directed by Aravindan Govindan

Tuesday, March 18 – Mirch Masala (Hindi / 1987) – directed by Ketan Mehta

Saturday, March 22 – Devdas (Hindi / 2002) – directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Sunday, March 20 – Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (Hindi / 1995) – directed by Aditya Chopra

Monday, March 31 – Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi / 2008) – directed by Ashutosh Gowariker

Saturday, April 5 – Kanchenjungha (Bengali /1962) – directed by Satyajit Ray

Tuesday, April 8 – Maya Darpan (Hindi / 1972) – directed by Kumar Shahani

Sunday, April 19 – Iruvar (Tamil / 1997) – directed by Mani Ratnam