This man’s collection of film mementos is in Limca book of records, but he has no place to store it

Pune’s Narayan Phadke is running out of space to store a huge and amazing treasure of film booklets, posters and photographs painstakingly collected over a period of 56 years.

Even today, when he is past his 80th birthday, Narayan Phadke, a resident of Pune, finds something to add to his collection. It could be a poster of a newly released film, an autographed picture of an actor, a booklet of songs, or a signed letter from a known film personality. He just doesn’t tire of this passion that first gripped him about 56 years ago.

And with such regularity has this been going on that Phadke now has a collection of 700 posters, 8,500 booklets, 4,000 photographs, 4,000 autographs, and more than 3,000 signed pictures which, due to lack of space at home, have been crammed into a loft in the office of M R Joshi & Co, the place where he has been working since the past three decades. It’s a company that sells paper.

“I would like to build a small museum so that cine buffs can come and appreciate this rare collection,” he states wistfully.

It’s an idea no one wants to fund. This is why Phadke is now worried about what will happen to all his efforts. So unique is Phadke’s treasure trove that his name has consistently figured in the Limca Book of Records for six years and he is now hopeful that he shall find a mention in the forthcoming edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

“They have sent me a request to complete some formalities. Meanwhile, the American Biographical Institute has presented me with a gold medal and has also appointed me on their advisory board,” Phadke informs.

But apart from such honours, it’s a hobby that has not fetched Phadke any gain. “A few institutions did express interest in acquiring my collection but they did not want to pay me for it,” he says.

Meanwhile, film researchers, scholars and writers often approach Phadke for use of photographs and information not available elsewhere.

“I don’t charge anything provided it is put to good use,” he states.

For all that, however, there is no rancour of disappointment in his voice or attitude.

“It’s just that I fell in love with cinema at a very young age and started collecting all this as a hobby. My family members thought I would outgrow this rather strange passion after my teenage years and then marriage but so strong was the bond that I just kept collecting, and collecting,” he says.

Phadke’s collection includes issues of ‘Film India’ from 1933 and booklets of films now lost in time. A practice that is not in vogue now, film booklets were once a part of the publicity material that distributors produced to generate interest and awareness about films. They contained all the relevant information about a particular film, including the synopsis, cast, technical crew, stills and even lyrics.

Designed to attract, they were soon relegated to the dustbins once the films were released and reviewed. But Phadke is one person who has safeguarded them.

“It’s a pity that everything has become so digitalized now. Booklets and posters are not printed any more. All the publicity is done through the Internet, mobile phones, and so on,” Phadke rues.

Some of the booklets in his collection are gems such as that of ‘Navrang’ which is a double-fold booklet showing actress Sandhya’s two faces as shown in the film or of ‘Mother India’ which is a masterpiece of sorts with double-spreads of paintings on canvas. The booklet of ‘Naya Zamana’ has photographs of Dharmendra and Hema Malini occupying the entire space of the two facing pages while that of Rajendra Kumar’s ‘Tangewala’ is spirally bound to give it an additional touch of class.

With his compilation showcased through television programmes like ‘Surubhi’ and ‘A Face In The Crowd’, Phadke has all along hoped that he will eventually find a sponsor to be able to protect this asset from gradual deterioration.

“It’s of heritage value,” he says, as he poses for a photograph with all the trophies he has won so far.

As for his pet items, Phadke pulls out a booklet of ‘Sampoorna Ramayan’ produced by Homi Wadia in 1962. It is of pocket-book size with a miniature version of the Ramayan. And among the photographs, Phadke is very fond of one of Madhuri Dixit who had willingly agreed to click a picture with him.

“For me, the world of films is a fascination that will never fade away. It’s something that has also kept me occupied in my spare hours so that I have always remained active and excited about adding something to the collection. For instance, whenever I learn of a public appearance of an actor or director, I always go to that venue and try to take an autograph,” he says.