Timeless Frames of Indian Cinema: From Guru Dutt to Raj Kapoor & more: Damodar Kamat's works

Known as the quiet craftsman behind some of Indian cinema’s most iconic stills, Damodar Kamat’s photographs shaped the way generations came to view their favourite films and stars.

Published: Tuesday,Sep 09, 2025 11:33 AM GMT+05:30

Kunal Kothari

Remembering an Unsung Chronicler

Economist and businessman Shivdutt Das, who founded the art foundation, reflected on why this exhibition is important. “I have always believed that art and culture are integral to a nation’s identity. Shri Damodar Kamat, a proud Marathi son of the soil, has been an unsung hero who made remarkable contributions to Indian cinema and its visual history."

He added, "Through the Shivdutt Das Art Foundation, it is our privilege to bring his work before the world, ensuring that his timeless frames remain a guiding light and a source of inspiration for generations to come.”

The Curator’s Perspective

Curator Parvez Damania called the project both a privilege and a challenge. “It has been an honour to understand and enjoy this showcase of Kamat Foto Flash & Damodar Kamat’s body of work. His photographs are not just stills; they are living documents that capture the soul of Indian cinema. Through this exhibition, we aim to give audiences a chance to revisit an era where every frame told a story and to celebrate some of cinema’s greatest moments."

Working With Legends

Shri Damodar Kamat was more than a still photographer. He worked closely with legendary directors such as Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, and Bimal Roy. His images were not simply promotional tools but carefully composed pieces that taught audiences how to see cinema.

His photographs captured not just actors and sets, but also the ambition and artistry that defined Indian film through the decades.

Preserving a Vast Archive

The Kamat family continues to safeguard this rich legacy. Today, the archive includes over 300,000 negatives, preserved and stewarded by Neha and Abhishek Kamat, the third generation of the family. Their efforts focus on digitisation and opening the collection to scholars, filmmakers, and researchers through Kamat Foto Flash.

For the exhibition, all images have been printed on Felix Schoeller TRUE Rag Smooth 310, a German paper known for its high quality in photo printing. This ensures that the photographs are presented with fidelity to the original negatives.

Celebrating Cultural Memory

This exhibition is more than a retrospective. It functions as a bridge between the private files of a photographer and the collective memory of a city and an industry.

The photographs reveal not only iconic faces and frames but also the process by which films were financed, assembled, and imagined. In doing so, the showcase honours Kamat’s role in preserving Mumbai’s film culture through his lens.

Why NCPA Matters

The six-day exhibition will take place at the Dilip Piramal Art Gallery within NCPA, a venue dedicated specifically to photography. The choice of venue reflects the intention to give Kamat’s work the space and recognition it deserves. By bringing these images from studio archives to a public gallery, the show allows audiences to engage with cinema’s visual heritage in a new way.

The Inaugural Evening

The opening night will be attended by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, alongside civic leaders, academics, and cultural figures. Icons of Indian cinema including Rekha, Zeenat Aman, Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Ranbir Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt are also expected to attend, underscoring the deep influence of Kamat’s work on multiple generations of artists.

Iconic Frames on Display

Audiences can expect to see unforgettable stills from landmark films such as Umrao Jaan, Mera Naam Joker, Pyaasa, Sangam, and many others. Each photograph is both a piece of history and a reminder of cinema’s power to capture a nation’s imagination.