Dhruvee Haldankar Launches Book on Father at NFDC Mumbai

Mumbai: Actress and author Dhruvee Haldankar recently experienced a deeply personal and professionally significant milestone with the launch of her book Beyond the Frame, Beyond Fear at the auditorium of the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) in Mumbai. The book chronicles the life and illustrious career of her father, veteran cinematographer Deepak Haldankar, whose work has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Speaking with evident emotion about the occasion, Dhruvee described the event as “truly an honour and a very special moment.” She highlighted the symbolic weight of unveiling the book at NFDC—a institution long regarded as a custodian of meaningful, path-breaking cinema in the country. “The venue itself carries immense cultural and cinematic value,” she said. “It felt deeply meaningful to celebrate my father’s journey in a space that has always supported thoughtful filmmaking.”

Dhruvee expressed particular gratitude toward NFDC’s current Managing Director, Prakash Magdum, a 1999-batch Indian Information Service officer who previously served as Additional Director General at the Press Information Bureau and the Central Bureau of Communication in Ahmedabad. Beyond his administrative credentials, she noted his genuine passion for cinema and his identity as a writer. “With his appointment, I truly feel Indian cinema is in very thoughtful hands,” she remarked.

During the process of researching and compiling the book, Magdum proved approachable and supportive, especially in recognising her father’s contributions. Several of Deepak Haldankar’s films are preserved in the NFDC archives, and the MD’s understanding of the importance of honouring that legacy added emotional depth to the collaboration.

The launch drew a notable turnout from the film fraternity, many of whom attended to pay tribute to Deepak Haldankar’s craft. Dhruvee said she felt “extremely grateful” for the presence of friends and colleagues who recognised that cinema extends far beyond glamour. “What touched me the most was that those who attended truly understood that cinema is not only about beauty on screen—it is about intelligence, craft, and the silent brilliance of artists like cinematographers who shape the visual soul of a film,” she reflected. “Their presence made the evening even more meaningful.”

Published by Vitasta Publishing and supported by the NU brand, the book offers an intimate portrait of Deepak Haldankar’s journey—from his technical mastery behind the camera to the vision and thought that defined his body of work. Through personal anecdotes, professional insights, and archival reflections, Beyond the Frame, Beyond Fear celebrates the often-unseen contributors who give films their emotional and aesthetic depth.

NFDC’s association with serious conversations around the art and craft of filmmaking lent the event an added layer of dignity and intellectual resonance. Over decades, the organisation has built platforms that champion meaningful cinema, and hosting the launch there aligned perfectly with its legacy of fostering dignified spaces for cinematic dialogue.

For Dhruvee Haldankar—an actress who has balanced performance with authorship—the evening represented more than a book release; it was a heartfelt tribute to her father’s enduring influence and a reaffirmation of the values that underpin authentic storytelling in Indian cinema. As attendees gathered to celebrate a life dedicated to the lens, the event underscored a timeless truth: the true power of film lies not just in what appears on screen, but in the vision, dedication, and quiet brilliance of those who create it.