26 June,2026 10:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Bhumika Israni
The exhibition covers photographs and movie posters over the course of a century. Pics courtesy/Mangesh Pawar
From its pioneering filmmakers and beloved stars to the photographers who shaped their public image, Marathi Chitrapat: Stories and Stardom at NGMA, Fort, traces more than a century of Marathi cinema through rare portraits, film stills and archival treasures. Curated by archivist Neha Kamat and conceptualised by NGMA director Nidhi Choudhari, the exhibition is a deep dive into a film industry that continues to influence Indian aesthetics.
"Marathi cinema gave India its first feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), and has shaped the country's cinematic landscape for more than a century. Following the success of NGMA Mumbai's Lens & Legacy: Bollywood in Focus, the gallery turned its attention to the industry's roots with the current exhibition," says photographer Mangesh Pawar.
Nidhi Choudhari and Mangesh Pawar
At its heart is the Kamat Foto Flash archive, which has documented Marathi cinema since 1945 through publicity stills, working photographs and studio portraits. "We wanted to celebrate Marathi cinema as an integral part of Mumbai's film culture and showcase as many artists, filmmakers and decades as possible," says director Choudhari, adding that "The Kamat Foto Flash Archive offered a rare visual record of the industry's evolution, helping us tell the story of Marathi cinema from its earliest roots to the present day."
TILL July 31; 10 am onwards (Tuesday to Sunday)
AT National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Fort.
Entry Museum ticket prices apply
Drawn from the Kamat Foto Flash archive, this photograph captures two of Marathi cinema's most admired performers at a defining moment in their careers. Beyond documenting the film, this image reflects an era when publicity photography played a vital role in shaping cinematic memory.
This photograph showcases the celebrated actress Bhakti Barve portraying Bahinabai, one of Maharashtra's most revered literary voices. Capturing the grace and emotional depth that defined Bhakti Barve's performance in Manini (1986) while also reflecting Marathi cinema's engagement with literature, culture, and social history.
Created as a promotional shoot for a Hindi film, this portrait emerged from an unplanned moment, and reveals a more intimate side of Sonali Kulkarni. Its simplicity becomes its strength, capturing elegance, and authenticity while highlighting the personal connection beyond the spotlight.
A study in light, shadow and understated elegance, this portrait showcases Mrunal Kulkarni's enduring screen presence. Blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary portraiture, the image captures the intelligence, poise and quiet strength that have defined Kulkarni's artistic journey across television, film and theatre.
Photographed in monochrome, this portrait distils the legendary thespian's presence into expression, light and emotion. Pawar reveals that he used a zoom lens and shallow depth of field to isolate Gokhale from his surroundings, highlighting the details which command attention.
