FTII takes series of new initiatives, students sceptical

Students of the country's premier film school – Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)–will no longer be eligible to use the hostel facilities of the campus in Pune post a maximum three years of their course duration, a document detailing a series of initiatives taken by the institute management states.

The document also says that the film school will introduce a new syllabus for the timely completion of courses in the future.

"A choice-based credit system, along with continuous evaluation and semester system has been introduced. The hostel facility will only be available for those who are doing courses, the duration of which is maximum three years," the document states.

A senior official of the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry told DNA that the existing infrastructure of the institute will be augmented and more digital studios will be added so that students can complete their courses within a stipulated period of three years.

"Earlier, students would continue their courses at the institute for years and were offered 100 per cent subsidy. Now, they will have to complete their course within three years. This would also bring about a discipline and accountability if students in FTII," the official said.

"As a result, there were zero years in 2014 and 2015 where new students couldn't take admission due to a lack of seats. The new initiative attempts to change this," the official added.

As part of the new initiatives, FTII will be carrying out several short-term filmmaking courses across the country, starting with a 20-day course would be conducted in Guwahati this month.

"For decades, film and television courses have stayed put in Pune and Kolkata. Why should there be such courses offered across the country that would serve as a prelude to the degree courses?" an official asked and added that it would be a huge skill development initiative, in sync with the requirement of the expanding TV and film industry.

Other measures include opening FTII to the public once or twice a month, starting anti-ragging measures and steps to curb sexual harassment.

"Moreover, there are frequent interactions held with the population residing around FTII, who earlier often complained about the students. The institute will also be putting floodlights and CCTVs in the dark areas of the campus," a senior official said.

Students, who have recently finished their courses at the institute, were sceptical and said even the new course is voluminous enough to be completed within just three years.

Yashasvi Mishra, a former student of acting at FTII, said except a few courses, many courses can take an average of 4.5 years to five years to get completed and it is not usually the students' fault.

"There are numerous other factors at play here like the availability of studios and other resources. Nobody wants to continue studying at the institute for years," Mishra said, adding that his own course started in 2011 after a delay of seven months.

"For example, editing students can only start their work once the film is made," Mishra explained.

"The problem is that the FTII administration is more keen on the quantity than the quality of courses," said

Vikas Urs, another former FTII student, said he was part of the revising syllabus committee, but had walked out of it, since even the new syllabus cannot be completed within three years. "The first batch has already started the new syllabus and it's been just a few months. It would be difficult for the students to complete this new syllabus within three years, but the institute administration will blame the students for it," said Urs.