For the very first time, an extraordinary archive featuring Indian cinema’s iconic history is being displayed in Melbourne.
Bombay Talkies exhibition kicked off in Melbourne on February 8th and is open to public for free till July 2nd from 10am to 5pm.
The Bombay Talkies exhibition is drawn from a collection of over 3,000 documents, letters, photos and memorabilia that belongs to three Melbourne brothers – Walter, Peter and Paul Dietze.
Their grandfather was celebrated Indian film producer and actor, Himansu Rai, who co-founded the Bombay Talkies film studio with his wife, actress Devika Rani.
The memorabilia that belongs to three Melbourne brothers – Walter, Peter and Paul Dietze. Source: ACMI
The couple played a crucial role in the development of mainstream Bombay cinema.
This extraordinary archive, traces Dietze’s family’s journey highlighting how Indian cinema moved from silent film to sound, representing the most comprehensive collection of 1920s to 1940s Indian film studio ephemera in the world.
After creating landmark silent films in the 1920s based on traditional Indian stories, which were largely seen in Europe, they turned their attention to home.
Bombay Talkies exhibition kicked off in Melbourne on February 8th and is open to public for free till July 2nd from 10am to 5pm. Source: ACMI
As co-founders of the legendary Bombay Talkies film studio, they aimed to make films about contemporary India that would speak to a wide audience.
During the 1930s and 40s, Bombay Talkies released 40 films, including hits Achhut Kanya (1936), Kismet (1943) and Mahal (1949).
Running for 20 years and releasing 40 films, Bombay Talkies was one of India’s most innovative and highly resourced movie studios. It is credited with introducing the musical narrative structure that characterises modern Bollywood, and launched the careers of several prominent Indian film industry luminaries including superstars Ashok Kumar, Leela Chitnis and Raj Kapoor.
Source: ACMI
