Mumbai, May 01, 2026 : The National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, looked no less than a grand film premiere as it inaugurated its landmark exhibition ‘Lens and Legacy – Bollywood in Focus’ marking the birth anniversary of the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke. The evening brought together the worlds of cinema, art, and culture under one roof. As the first exhibition of this scale dedicated to Bollywood at the prestigious museum, the show presents an expansive visual tribute to Indian cinema through photographs, artworks, film stills, studio portraits, magazine covers, and rare archival material. The exhibition features works by renowned photojournalists Pradeep Chandra, Shantanu Das, Sudharak Olwe and Bandeep Singh, alongside photographer Avinash Gowariker, and a rare archival showcase curated by author, archivist and film historian SMM Ausaja (presented with support towards high-quality printing, framing, mounting, and display curation, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation – BMC) and Neha Kamat of Kamat Foto Flash. The exhibition also features special tribute walls dedicated to the legendary Dharmendra and Asha Bhosle.
The glittering inauguration was attended by Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra – Jishnu Dev Varma; Ashish Shelar – Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT; actor Hema Malini; S Ramamoorthy – Joint Secretary to the Governor of Maharahstra; IAS Nidhi Choudhari – Director of NGMA Mumbai; actors Poonam Dhillon, Poonam Sinha, Ranjeet and Madhoo; producer Ramesh Taurani; fashion designer Laila Khan; Kiran Shantaram; and prominent members from the art world including Pheroza Godrej, Saryu Doshi, Arzan Khambatta, Kalpana Shah of Tao Art Gallery, and Parvez Damania. Also present were Shruti Das – Deputy Curator of NGMA Mumbai, along with Consul Generals of several countries and other distinguished guests.
Jishnu Dev Varma shared, “Since taking charge as Governor on the 10th of March this year, this is the first time that I am visiting a cultural institution. I am pleased to visit the National Gallery of Modern Art and I must say that I am impressed by the grand and majestic building that houses NGMA. I pay my respects to the pioneer of Indian cinema, the late Dadasaheb Phalke, on his birth anniversary. And I thank Srimati Nidhi Choudhari, the Director of the NGMA for organising this event and inviting me to this wonderful exhibition that showcases and celebrates Bollywood.”
Ashish Shelar extended Maharashtra Day greetings and expressed, “I pay my respects to Dadasaheb Phalke. Whatever creative recognition we have received as a city, we cannot forget his dedication and contribution. We also remember the two legends we are missing today… Dharmendra ji and Asha ji, who have given us immense happiness and joy through their work.”
Speaking about the exhibition, Hema Malini shared, “It celebrates the legacy and journey of Indian cinema through timeless portraits. I’m glad to see many of my friends here… great photographers and cinematographers who have captured me over the years. There are so many film photographers who have made us look so beautiful. Bhagwan ki di hui thodi bahut khoobsurti hai, par usko hundred times enhance karne wale hamare film industry ke photographers hain,” she quipped. “They would click us between shots, and sometimes we would tell them not to disturb us, but today when we revisit those photographs, it brings such joy. It feels as though they have truly captured time, and I would like to thank all of them.” Reflecting emotionally on Dharmendra the actor and the man, she added, “I was really blessed to be with him. I miss him a lot. Now that he’s not there, I don’t know how I’m going to cope with it my whole life.”
Reflecting on the vision behind the show, IAS Nidhi Choudhari averred, “Mumbai was conferred the prestigious UNESCO Creative City of Films recognition in 2019… This year, when we were invited to collaborate on an exhibition celebrating Indian cinema and Mumbai, it felt like the perfect opportunity to honour that milestone. The core vision of ‘Lens & Legacy’ is to celebrate Mumbai’s identity by tracing the rich visual and cultural journey of Indian cinema through archival and contemporary lenses.”
The exhibition ‘Lens and Legacy: Bollywood in Focus’ will remain on view at NGMA Mumbai, Sir Cowasji Jahangir Hall, Fort, until June 30, 2026.
