Event Details

Documentary Film Screenings

An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with Cinema Collective

The Reality Check film series promotes and encourages documentary filmmakers in India, whose work reflects life and culture in the country today in a provocative blend of creativity and integrity.

A bouquet of three documentary films:

Aravali: The Lost Mountains
Hindi Film with English Subtitles (22 mins)

Aravali: The Lost Mountains is a documentary on marble quarrying in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, India. The Aravalli Range is believed to be India’s oldest mountain range, and plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. Groundwater levels and average rainfall have also depleted as a result of continual mining for the last 35 years, resulting in a serious water crisis and air pollution in Rajsamand. On the other hand, mining is the primary source of income for the majority of the population. As a result, this film examines both sides of the same coin, namely, the economy and the environment.

Producer Udaipur Pictures: Jigar Nagda
Written and directed by Jigar Nagda
Cinematography: Ayush Sharma
Additional Camera: Burhan Habshee
Editor: Shubham Dixit
Music: Piyush Ranjan
Sound & Mix: Atharva Joshi

Pandhari ke Rang
Hindi/ Marathi / English Film with English Subtitles (36 mins)

Pandhari ke Rang is a colourful documentary covering the equally colourful career of legendary make–up artiste, Pandhari Juker, popularly known as “Pandhari Dada”. The documentary traces the creative journey of Pandhari Dada, in the then much-ignored field of make-up. Having worked in the Hindi film industry for over 40 years with some of the biggest stars in the country, Juker was a much sought-after make-up artiste. The floating belief was that if one has their make-up done by Pandhari Dada, they are bound to be successful.

Written & directed by Sachin Shirke & Pankaj Sharma
Producer: Films Division

Raga of River Narmada (Waterscapes) India
A film by Rajendra Janglay (12 mins)

Dhrupad Singing by Ramakant and Umakant Gundecha

⁠Winner of National Film Award in 2006.

Certificate of Merit at MIFF 2008 for its fascinating visuals and exceptional use of dhrupad

Director Rajendra Janglay’s Raga of River Narmada is a cinematic ode to the many moods, colours and shapes of River Narmada, juxtaposed with a traditional dhrupad recitation. Like a dhrupad melody, with its single melodic line and complex framework of ragas, the river too is a single entity which takes on various incarnations from the playful gush of the streams to the turbulence of the rapids to the ethereal calm of its union with the sea.

The river evokes the song that echoes over the valleys and plains, setting tune to life itself. The song plays on while the river flows endlessly, an ancient entity with a life of its own but joined together in tradition, in culture, and in nature.

Sound: Hari Kumar M
Camera: Rajendra Janglay
⁠Producer: Madhya Pradesh Madhyam
Editing: Jitendra Wagre and Koshalendra Tomar

The film screenings will be followed by a discussion.

Admission on a first-come-first-served basis. NCPA Members will get preferential seating till 6.20 pm.