The exhibition that opened on 1st May 2026 at the National Gallery of Modern Art [NGMA] is ‘not-to-be-missed’ as it celebrates Bollywood’s visual history through rare photographs, archival treasures, and cinematic memories. Report by Prof Dr Avinash Kolhe.

The exhibition that opened on 1st May 2026 at the National Gallery of Modern Art [NGMA] is ‘not-to-be-missed’ as it shows the photographs of Bollywood greats taken by legendary photographers like Pradeep Chandra, SMM Ausaja, Shantanu Das among others.

The exhibition was rightly inaugurated by Hema Malini, the dream girl of Bollywood. The exhibition, aptly titled ‘Lens and Legacy: Bollywood in Focus’, is organized by the NGMA in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation [BMC]. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to celebrate and preserve Mumbai’s rich heritage and culture. This unusual exhibition traces the rich journey of Indian cinema through the medium of photography.

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Tribute to Legends of Indian Cinema

Visit this and you will find that the exhibition pays a special tribute to Padma Bhushan awardee and veteran actor late Dharmendra and iconic voice of Padma Bhushan Asha Bhosle. What a moving tribute to the lasting contribution of these two who passed away recently.
In addition to this, ‘Lens and Legacy’ fell on the birth anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema. It must also be mentioned that the exhibition has been conceived in context to UNESCO’s recognition of Mumbai as a ‘Creative City of Films’.
This is why photographs, artworks, rare stills, magazine clippings and archival material have been brought together, creating a unique feeling of walking through the history of entertainment.

To the generation born in the 1950s and 1960s, the exhibition means a walk down memory lane. Remember Zeenat Aman from Hare Rama Hare Krishna, her maiden film? And the legendary song Dum Maro Dum — ‘Mit jaye gam…Bolo subah sham, Hare Krishna Hare Ram?’. The exhibition has that rare photo of Zeenat from Hare Ram Hare Krishna.

At a personal level, like many of my generation, I saw this film a dozen times. Every time Zeenat said ‘us ke bad… bas… yatra hi yatra…yatra hi yatra’, I was moved to tears. Zeenat played the role of a girl from a broken family in Hare Ram Hare Krishna, who yearns for parental love. And when she does not get it, she runs from this loveless life. ‘Us ke bad yatra hi yatra’ [After that my journey began…].
The exhibition not only has rare photographs of Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Balraj Sahni [Do Bigha Zamin], and all stars of yesteryears, but also of Madhuri Dixit, the contemporary queen.

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Programs, Discussions and Film Festivals

The NGMA has not only curated this exhibition, but in addition, it also has put together various programs like the launch of Mumbai Cinema Map in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation, panel discussions and interactive sessions with industry professionals. Then there are three curated film festivals soon to be held there, one of them being the KASHISH Pride Film Festival to be held from 4th to 7th June.

Nidhi Choudhari, the director of NGMA, has this to say about the exhibition: “‘Lens and Legacy: Bollywood in Focus’ is an attempt to bring together the many visual narratives that have shaped Indian cinema over the decades. Through this exhibition, we hope to offer audiences an opportunity to engage with the rich artistic and cultural legacy of Bollywood in a meaningful way.” This purpose is indeed achieved. Do visit this exhibition. It goes on till 30th June 2026.

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