India Habitat Centre to launch 35mm Film Club, reviving classic cinema in Delhi
New Delhi: The India Habitat Centre (IHC) is set to launch a 35mm Film Club next month, bringing back the experience of classic cinema on celluloid at its Stein Auditorium.
The club will host monthly screenings of restored and archival films, giving audiences a chance to watch movies the way they were originally projected — on 35mm reels.
The decision comes after the IHC considered disposing of its 35mm projector due to an annual maintenance cost of ₹3.5 lakh. The projector, operated by technician Puran, was last used in 2024.
Instead of retiring the equipment, the Centre has chosen to revive it as part of a cultural initiative to celebrate film heritage and analog projection.”There’s something about the texture and warmth of 35mm that digital can’t replicate,” an IHC official said. “This club is about preserving that experience for new and old audiences alike.”
The film club is expected to begin screenings in August 2026. The lineup and membership details are likely to be announced soon.
The move adds to a growing interest in film preservation and repertory screenings in India, as institutions look to keep the legacy of classic cinema alive.
