The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) completes 50 years on March 20. This premier institution has trained many renowned actors and film-makers in the Indian film industry. Acting director of FTII, Iftekhar Ahmed, spoke to DNA about the institute’s achievements and its plans for the golden jubilee celebrations.

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What would you say has been the defining character of FTII over the last 50 years?FTII is renowned not only for the outstanding performances of its students, but it is also respected for the quality of training it has been providing consistently. The institute has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 50 years. The information and broadcasting ministry is considering upgrading the FTII as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ by an act of parliament. When that happens, we will be able to start degree courses of the duration of two or three years. We can also initiate doctoral programmes. The working conditions and infrastructure would see an improvement as well.

Could you tell us a little about its history?The prime objective of FTII is to impart training in film-making and television programme production. Initially, the institute had only four courses but now it offers 12. Many renowned film-makers, actors and technicians like Subhash Ghai, Mani Kaul, Naseeruddin Shah, Jaya Bachchan, Raza Murad, Shatrughan Sinha, Mithun Chakraborty, Tom Alter, Kanwarjit Paintal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have received training here. These personalities are respected worldwide and have bagged many national and international awards. They have also initiated new ways of film-making in the industry. The alumni of the television course have been instrumental in introducing new types of programming.

What are the plans for the golden jubilee celebrations?We have organised the concluding ceremony of the golden jubilee year (2010-2011) with a special event scheduled between March 17 and 19. The ceremony will begin with a national seminar on ‘media policy and regulation’. Eminent film-maker Basu Chatterjee will be the chief guest for the inaugural session. President of GRAFTII and cinematographer, RM Rao, will also be present. The seminar will discuss news broadcast, general elections and Internet laws within the framework of media policy and regulation.

What will be the highlight of the concluding ceremony?Films made by acclaimed students of the film, television and animation courses will be screened during a two-day film festival starting on March 18. This will surely be the highlight of the ceremony. The institute is also organising the KK Mahajan memorial lecture. FTII alumni and cinematographer Sunny Joseph will deliver the lecture at the main theatre on March 19 at 5.30pm.