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Salaam Cinema’s 2nd Edition – Revisiting the Bygone Era with Rare Film Memorabilia

June 26, 2025 | By Antara Nanda Mondal

Salaam Cinema, curated by Sounak Chacraverti and Samik De returns for its second edition after a decade, showcasing rare film photographs, vintage posters, lobbycards and memorabilia at ICCR Kolkata from June 27-July 2, celebrating Indian cinema’s golden era.

Salaam Cinema 2025

Ten years after the successful 2015 exhibition Salaam Cinema, Sounak Chacraverti (Sensorium) and Samik De (Art Inn) are back with the second edition of this “archival” exhibition of rare black and white film photographs, vintage film posters and “limited edition” film merchandise.

To be showcased at the ICCR, Kolkata from 27th June to 2nd July 2025, Salaam Cinema is an ode to the bygone era of Indian Cinema focussing mainly on Bangla and Hindi films.

Silhouette Magazine had covered the first edition of this unique exhibition – Salaam Cinema – An Extraordinary Tribute. “Salaam Cinema in 2015 was a stupendous success. Samik (my co-curator) and I always wanted to bring it back,” says Sounak Chacraverti, speaking to Silhouette. “It took us a decade because of several other commitments and also the funding that is involved with this project. The present edition is a bigger venture in terms of display than the previous one.”

The exhibition is timely and in sync with the rising trend of restoration and re-release of classic films across India. From Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest) being showcased at the 78th Cannes Film Festival this year, Nayak hitting the theatres across India in a 4K format and Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay in 4K slated for screening in Bologna this month, the revival of timeless films by organisations like Film Heritage Foundation, Golden Globe Foundation, Janus Films, and The Criterion Collection have brought them back to the audiences.

Agrees Sounak, “In these last decade we have seen an awareness to restore old films. The FHF played a crucial role here. The re-release of certain landmark films also gave us an opportunity to revisit the classics on the big screen.”

: Umrao Jaan poster

: Sujata poster

: Parama poster

Salaam Cinema, opening on June 27^th, will be showcasing at least 50-55 original posters of landmark Bangla and Hindi films including some that are witnessing a re-release in restored versions such as Aranyer Din Ratri and Umrao Jaan.

The date has turned out to be a happy coincidence. Says Sounak, “When we had blocked the opening day of our exhibition as 27th June, we were aware of RD Burman’s 86^th birth anniversary. I personally am a huge fan of RD since childhood. To me, he is my “hero”. Once we had fixed the date, news came of the restored version of Umrao Jaan’s release nation wide. Also Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri being screened on the same day in Bologna. This morning I saw an Instagram post declaring the release of the restored Sholay in Bologna on the same day. We must not forget that this is the golden jubilee year of this landmark Indian film. Salaam Cinema is an homage to all these timeless classics.”

Rare Booklet covers of films

The exhibition, also features rare film stills, stunning images from lobbycards and an exclusive section of “limited edition” film merchandise specially produced for this occasion. Among the exciting discoveries or acquisitions for this exhibition are the rarest posters of Pramathesh Barua’s Mukti, Tapan Sinha’s Raja and Banchharamer Bagaan, Satyajit Ray’s Mahanagar [30″ x 40″] and a few others. What makes certain pieces particularly special or hard to find?

“It’s hard to say why it is difficult to discover these posters,” says Sounak. “I have never come across a poster of Sinha’s Ek Jé Chhilo Desh or Aandhar Periyé. Probably we won’t be able to trace these. The fascinating images of Raj Kapoor’s Shree 420, Raj Khosla’s CID, Bimal Roy’s Devdas are real treasures for archivists and film aficionados.”

: Bazaar lobbycard

: Bazaar lobbycard

: Raj Kapoor’s Sangam lobbycard

: Tapan Sinha’s Atithi lobbycard

: Tapan Sinha’s Atithi lobbycard

: Tapan Sinha’s Atithi lobbycard

: Jadubangsho lobbycard

: Putrabadhu lobbycard

: Shohorer Itikatha lobbycard

: Satyajit Ray’s Debi lobbycard

: Satyajit Ray’s Teen Kanya lobbycard

: Khokababur Pratyabartan film still

A special focus of the exhibition is the celebration of the centenary of the stalwarts – Raj Kapoor, Arundhati Debi, Mohammed Rafi, Salil Chowdhury, Ritwik Ghatak, Raj Khosla and Tapan Sinha. Explains Sounak, “The contribution of these 7 stalwarts had been huge to the world of Indian cinema. So it was quite obvious that we as curators thought it right to focus on them. Since we are not in a position to screen their films at this venue so the tribute will be in the form of film memorabilia and limited edition film merchandise. Since this entire project is self-sponsored we could not arrange for a curated film festival. But the exhibition will certainly highlight their immense contribution and this would also give an opportunity to the present generation to be aware of them.”

Salaam Cinema merchandise - Ceramic plates and desktop organisers featuring film and music legends

Film Merchandise – Ceramic plates and desktop organisers featuring film and music legends

Pictures courtesy Sounak Chacraverti. Images used in this article include memorabilia that may not be on display at the exhibition.

Event: Salaam Cinema
Dates: June 27 – July 2, 2025
Venue: Abanindranath Tagore Art Gallery, ICCR, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata
Email: justsounak@gmail.com

More Must Read in Silhouette

Salaam Cinema – An Extraordinary Tribute

Reimagining India’s Cultural Tapestry: In Conversation with Neville Tuli

‘Barsaat & Bharat’ – Rare Vintage Film Memorabilia & Artwork in Online Auction

Coveted Merchandise From Cult Films Go Under The Hammer At Online Auction

Whether you are new or veteran, you are important. Please contribute with your articles on cinema, we are looking forward for an association. Send your writings to amitava@silhouette-magazine.com

About the Author

Antara Nanda Mondal (94 Posts)

Editor in Chief, Learning and Creativity; Consulting Editor, Silhouette Magazine. A former business journalist, Antara writes extensively on the changing trends of music, direction and filmmaking in cinema. Her articles aim to provide well-researched information on the legends of cinema for the movie and music enthusiast. She is also the Founder-Editor of Blue Pencil, a New Delhi-based publishing house. She has co-authored a chapter on Hemant Kumar's Bengali music in the acclaimed book The Unforgettable Music of Hemant Kumar, written by Manek Premchand. Her articles have also been published in Dearcinema.com and Du-kool.com. Antara is Editor-Creative Director of Wisitech InfoSolutions Pvt. Ltd.
All Posts of Antara Nanda Mondal

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One thought on “Salaam Cinema’s 2nd Edition – Revisiting the Bygone Era with Rare Film Memorabilia”

Aljinder S Mangat June 29, 2025 at 7:23 am

Hi
Has anybody written about the fact that all top actresses of 1940 and 50’s came from Muslim families along with the directors, writers and musicians. This dichotomy of being from a faith which frowns upon entertainment, music etc in itself a story to be told. Also why we dont have vintage posters of Suraiya, Shyama, Nigar Sultana, Nimmi etc. Just wondering.
Best
Al

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