Mahadev auditorium to be hub for parallel cinema

NEW DELHI: Alternative cinema will have its very own hub with the government planning an image makeover for Mahadev Road auditorium in the heart of Delhi. The auditorium which is used for screenings only on special occasions will be modeled along the lines of Prithvi theatre in Mumbai to not just screen documentaries, small budget films but also provide a forum for filmmakers and connoisseurs to discuss film-making.
The facility will also act a popular hangout for filmmakers and connoisseur of cinema, sharing their views complete with a cafe.
The idea for the changeover was believed to have been first mooted by the jury of the National Film Awards which had met Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari here recently in connection with announcing names of national film award winners. "The auditorium will hold special screening of independent producers and parallel cinemas.
"It will be a typical hub of alternative cinema," said officials in the Ministry.
The ministry in collaboration with the department of posts will issue six miniature sheets depicting 50 iconic personalities of Indian Cinema to commemorate the centenary.
This issue will be released by the President on May 3. First two minisheets including nine stamps will depict some Dadasaheb Phalke awardees and the other four with eight stamps each depict personalities from various fields of cinema. The personalities depicted in stamps include, Ashok Kumar, Bhalji Pendharkar, Durga Khote, Dev Annad, Yash Chopra, Smita Patil, Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Suraiya, Geeta Dutt, Sohrab Modi, tapan Sinha, C.V. Sridhar and Bhanumathi.