75 of Independence: National Museum of Indian Cinema celebrates with Subhash Ghai, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Jackie Shroff, Divya Dutta

The National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) hosted filmmakers Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Subhash Ghai along with actors Jackie Shroff, and Divya Dutta for a flag hoisting ceremony in Mumbai on India’s 75th Independence Day celebration. Producer Shabbir Boxwala and screenwriter Sandeep Shrivastava were also present at the occasion.

Popular patriotic films Karma (1986), Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) and Shershaah (2021) were screened free of cost for the public.

Talking to the media, managing director of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and CEO of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Ravinder Bhakar said, “This year is special for all Indians in India and staying across the globe, as we commemorate the 75th year of our Independence. Cinema is a very powerful medium and has played an important role in putting the country on a global map. I am happy that these esteemed personalities could take out time to celebrate this day with us. I look forward to many more enriching films in years to come.”

“It is also a matter of pride to see so many people hoisting flags this year as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. Let’s celebrate our country with the best version of ourselves and India can be unstoppable in its growth and glory," he added.

Talking about his 1986 multi-starrer Karma, Subhash Ghai said, “Cinema has that magic that can connect with the audiences, their heart and soul completely. Talking about patriotism in cinema, when it is a writer he has to feel the emotions of patriotism, the director has to feel it, the actors have to feel those emotions for their country. That’s how you create magic.”

“Those lines 'Har Karam Apna Karenge, Aye Watan Tere Liye [We will do every duty of ours for you, my country]…I think was felt by everyone involved in the film and hence audiences felt those emotions too,” Ghai added.

Jackie Shroff shared, “I was fortunate to have acted in [Karma]. There are such wonderful memories related to the film. I remember Dilip [Kumar] ji was very soft spoken, we literally had to get close to him to hear him talk. I am elated that today I am in this film museum participating in the celebration of 75th Independence Day.”

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra spoke about his biopic on Milkha Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. The filmmaker said, “Through [it], I wanted to tell a story around Partition and the price many lives had to pay for this independence that we celebrate today. I remember Milkha Singh saying ‘Meri saari nafrat Pakistan ke khilaf mit gayi [All my hatred towards Pakistan melted away]’, after he saw the film. That’s the feeling the film was made for.”