Archives museum to exhibit history of Malayalam cinema

Movie posters, prints of yesteryear films, books and journals that narrate the history of Malayalam cinema will go on display at a new archives museum coming up near here.
The state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy has drawn up a proposal to set up an exclusive film archives and museum complex to showcase the past and present of Malayalam cinema.
The proposed complex, coming up in a two acre land in KINFRA Park at Kazhakkuttom near here, will have a collection of exhibits ranging from negative prints of old movies and books and journals related to films to movie posters and film song books, a top official said.

"The Academy has already submitted a proposal of archives museum to the government and expecting approval for it soon. We are planning to complete the construction within one year after getting the final nod," Academy chairman Rajeev Nath told PTI.
The two-storey building of the complex would also have preview theatres, library and research area, he said.
"We have already started collecting negative prints of old films from studios and labs in Chennai, which was the seat of Malayalam cinema in earlier days. Prints of new movies will also be there in the museum," he said.
Film researchers and movie buffs can view the films in the Academy's collection at the preview theatres in the complex, he said, adding, a total of Rs eight crore was expected as budget for the project.

On Academy's other projects, Nath said the agency is planning to conduct movie festivals in 12 non-metro cities across the country next month to popularise Malayalam cinema.