NFDC-NFAI Adds Three Sivaji Ganesan Tamil Films to National Collection: Key Facts

On 8 October 2026, the NFDC–National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI) in Pune added three 35 mm Tamil film prints to its national collection. All three films star Sivaji Ganesan and were directed by A.P. Nagarajan. The addition is reported as completed as of 9 October 2026, the date of the only supporting article. It matters for Art & Culture revision because it links a named film archive, specific films and basic film-preservation terms.

What happened and when

The source reports two separate dates. They should not be mixed up.

• 13 September 2026: the prints were collected in Chennai.
• 8 October 2026: NFDC-NFAI added the prints to its national collection.
• 9 October 2026: the date of the GKToday article. This is a publication date, not the event date.

Aparna Subramanian, a Film Research Officer at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), acquired and donated the prints.

The three films at a glance

The prints are 35 mm Tamil-language prints. Sivaji Ganesan starred in each film, and A.P. Nagarajan directed all three.

Why the acquisition matters for preservation

New title and second prints

The Thiruvarutchelvar print is the most significant addition. According to the source, the archive had no copy of that film in any format. For the other two films, the new prints give the archive a second print of each.

Why multiple elements help

Holding more than one archival element lets staff use one for reference, technical assessment, digitisation or comparison while another stays protected. This is the source's explanation of the value of a second print.

Condition of the prints

The source says the newly acquired prints show age-related magenta colour fading and vertical scratches caused by projection. It does not say whether restoration or digitisation of these prints has started or been planned.

Exam-relevant background

Film terms

• A film print is a physical copy of a motion picture recorded on film stock.
• The 35 mm figure refers to the width of the film strip.
• Digitisation converts images and sound recorded on film into digital form. The physical film element can still be kept as an archival copy.

Institutions

• The National Film Archive of India was established in Pune in 1964 to preserve the heritage of Indian cinema.
• The prints were acquired and donated by a Film Research Officer of FTII. The source does not describe any formal NFDC-NFAI–FTII arrangement.

Facts such as film years, the director, the archive's location and its founding year are the kind of details to note for factual recall. This note does not claim that any question on the topic will appear in an exam.

Evidence limits

This note relies on one secondary source, a GKToday article dated 9 October 2026. A supplied Press Information Bureau page contained only site navigation and no release text about this acquisition, so it does not confirm the event. The source gives no print counts per film, reel details, funding, official statements or restoration plans, and none are added here.

Quick FAQ

Which films were added?

Thiruvilayadal (1965), Thiruvarutchelvar (1967) and Thillana Mohanambal (1968).

Was Thiruvarutchelvar already in the archive?

According to the source, NFDC-NFAI did not previously hold it in any format.

Who acquired and donated the prints?

Aparna Subramanian, a Film Research Officer at FTII.