The National Film Archives of India (NFAI), that has the largest collection of classic films in Asia, has added one more priced item to its collection. Chandrakant Parulekar, a film lover from Kolhapur, has presented NFAI Director Vijay Jadhav with an vintage projector used in 1920s for screening silent movies. This 35 mm projector made by US-based company Pathe, is hand-cranked, that is, it works manually with the operator turning the handle continuously to expose the film. Silent movies were filmed at 16 frames per second whereas sound films use 24 frames per second.

“The projector originally belonged to Welankar who bought it in 1927 for Rs 700. This became a part of his touring company till 1935 and traveled from place to place screening silent movies,” said Parulekar.

When new technology was introduced in India with Alam Ara, the first talkie, in 1931, the old technology could not survive and soon became obsolete. “Even then the Welankar touring company continued to use this projector right up to 1935 before they finally phased it out. My grandfather acquired this projector in 1957 and till today we have preserved it in memory of golden era of silent movies,” he said.

Thanking Parulekar for the projector that was handed over to him in Kolhapur on Saturday, NFAI director Vijay Jadhav said, “Parulekar approached us and informed us about this vintage equipment. He agreed to hand over the projector to us after we promised him that we'll take proper care of it. We are very thankful for his generosity in parting with this unique piece especially as we don't have any other 35 mm projector in our collection.”