Rangbhoomi
Directed byKamal Swaroop
Produced byFilms Division
Release date
2013
Running time
1h 20m
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Rangbhoomi is a documentary directed by Kamal Swaroop,[1][2] telling the story of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema.[3] The film was released in 2013 and won the National Award for Best Non-Feature Film.[4]

Production and background

Kamal Swaroop got a grant from the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) to trace Dadasaheb Phalke's life. Workshops across India, especially one in Benaras, laid the foundation for the documentary. Funded by Films Division, the film explores Phalke's life when he left cinema and turned to theatre, focusing on the semi-autobiographical play Rangbhoomi.

Narrative structure

The documentary combines readings from the play's script, insights into theatre and literature, and behind-the-scenes moments of preparing for a play. The narrow alleys of Benaras become the backdrop for Swaroop's search, revealing surprising discoveries among Phalke's friends' descendants.[5]

Synopsis

Rangbhoomi follows Kamal Swaroop's attempt to uncover Dadasaheb Phalke's life in Varanasi, where he turned to theatre after leaving cinema. The focus is on Phalke's semi-autobiographical play, Rangbhoomi.[5]

Screenings and recognition

The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival and won the National Award for Best Non-Feature Film. It also opened the Ladakh International Film Festival in 2014.[6] Also, it featured in the Indian Documentary Film Festival in Odisha.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Kamal Swaroop: Battling for cinema". Mintlounge. 2018-02-16. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  2. ↑ Swaroop, Kamal (2021-02-16). "Kamal Swaroop on Mani Kaul: 'A visionary and ahead of his time'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  3. ↑ "Kamal Swaroop documents the LS election". The Times of India. 2014-04-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  4. ↑ "Padmavati Row: Veteran Director Kamal Swaroop Says 'All Political Parties are Using Mythology as a Tool'". News18. 2017-11-24. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  5. 1 2 Praveen, S. R. (2018-07-23). "Combing Varanasi for Phalke". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  6. ↑ "Ladakh film festival opens with 'Rangbhoomi' screening". DailyExcelsior. 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  7. ↑ Prachitara (2018-10-01). "Dadasaheb Phalke Is An Idea In 'Rangbhoomi': Kamal Swaroop". odishabytes. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
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