Amitabh Bachchan says it's important to recognise contribution of projectionists to Indian cinema as single-screen theatres' fate 'hangs by a thread'

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

single-screen theatres «hangs by a thread», megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that many projectionists have lost their livelihood and it is important to recognise their contribution to the history of Indian cinema. In a recorded video message shared with Mumbai-based Film Heritage Foundation and its founder Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Bachchan appreciated the 'Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection' that has been instituted by the FHF to celebrate the «unsung heroes» of the film industry. Bachchan, in his over a minute-long video, said, «The world of a projector, a beam of light in a dark room theatre, and flicker of images on the big screen. That was, what cinema was for me». «As the fate of single-screen cinemas, unfortunately, hangs by a thread, many of these projectionists have lost their livelihood. It is important to remember and recognise their immense contribution to the history of Indian cinema,» he said. The veteran cine actor said he was pleased to learn that Film Heritage Foundation had instituted a 'Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection' to celebrate the unsung heroes, «who brought the magic of cinema to the silver screen». Dungarpur on Sunday said the foundation will honour three projectionists with this award at a special event, to be held on Wednesday at Mumbai's heritage Regal Cinema, a single-screen theatre built in 1933. The awards will be an annual affair, he said.

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«The megastar of Indian cinema has shared a video message with us, ahead of the ceremony in which veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah will be the chief guest. And Bachchan sahab's support has bolstered our confidence to work further