Wrong selection of FTII chief

[prasad1]

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[prasad1]

The protest of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students has crossed 35 days now but is not only targeted at chairperson Gajendra Chauhan for "lack of qualifications" but against other crucial appointments too, says director Dibakar Banerjee. "It's important for media and people to know that the issue is not only about Gajendra Chauhan. Do not personalize this issue. Mr. Chauhan and his appointment as chairman of FTII society is a side issue and only a part of the issue," Banerjee said at a press conference to support the students' viewpoint.

"The bigger concern is that along with Chauhan, there were other names that were added into the FTII society. All these members have something in their bio-data which make you feel that some sort of pressure is being created on an educational institute.
You feel that clearly there are better, more successful film professionals who can easily come into this society. And I think their names were also proposed, but ignoring those names and selecting these four members and chairman, sparks a doubt in our minds," he said.
Banerjee said he is seeking "further transparency" in the institute's working so that more Rajkumar Hiranis and Shatrughan Sinhas among others come out and better quality films are made from the industry.
The five concerned members of the FTII society having contentious links are Anagha Ghaisas, Shailesh Gupta, Narendra Pathak, Pranjal Saikia and Rahul Solapurkar, which students allege have links to BJP and RSS while also lacking the required credentials. Other than these people, Vidya Balan and Rajkumar Hirani are also part of the society.

http://www.sify.com/news/ftii-row-n...bakar-banerjee-news-others-phsxahhijdjjj.html

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[sarang]

Banerjee seems to be a film director, and has no say over FTII activities. The news tries to confuse as if banerjee is institute's director. He is trying to infuse his prejudices because he knows the first demand is lost! Who cares for the opinions of outsiders?

The institute has only one director.
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PUNE: Even as India's premier film institute roils over the selection of new chairman Gajendra Chauhan and classes remain suspended, the government has appointed a new director.

National Film Archive of India Director Prashant Pathrabe has been given additional charge of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.

Pathrabe is a 1992 batch officer of the Indian Information Service and has worked in Doordarshan News and AIR News in Mumbai.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/prashant-pathrabe-appointed-new-ftii-director-782466

 

[sarang]

Victory conceded! Students who have completed their academic term must be asked to vacate and appear for exams as externals. All indian and international universities have rules - one should complete a three course within 7 or 8 years for getting a valid degree or certificate. Why FTII students be given special status?

There are reports that new students were not admitted in the last three years,as the respectable seniors have not vacated their seats(!). 15% of the students holding 85% to ransom is a disgrace; the concerned ministry must act and correct the infectious disease in the institute.

 

[prasad1]

Gajendra Chauhan is symptomatic of the lack of quality teachers at FTII.

Just two months ago, overlooking the French Riviera, I was being congratulated by the minister of state for information and broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, for making the country proud — my film, Chauthi Koot was screened at the official competition at Cannes. The minister went on to ask me and my French co-producer for suggestions to improve the quality of films produced in India. Like enthusiastic kids, we started rattling off suggestions: more state funding for independent films and international co-productions, with special emphasis on nurturing debut filmmakers; domestic distribution and exhibition support for independent films; improving the quality of a festival like the International Film Festival of India, Goa; revitalising institutions like the FTII and the national film archives, etc. The minister asked us to put these down in writing.

Two months later, with a veteran actor saying the FTII has gone to the dogs and a ruling party spokesperson questioning the achievements of the institute, I would like to inform the minister that this filmmaker, who made him proud standing on the French coastline, is a graduate of the FTII. As are the many technicians who worked on my film, including the cinematographer and sound recordist, whose work received critical acclaim at the festival. The other Indian film in the official selection at Cannes, Masaan, also happens to have been shot by a highly talented recent graduate from the FTII, Avinash Arun, whose directorial debut, Killa, premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and won an award. The highly acclaimed film, Court, which won the top prize in the Orrizonti section at the Venice Film Festival last year and numerous other awards, happens to have been shot by my classmate from the FTII. If I were to start compiling a list of FTII graduates whose films, fiction, documentary and shorts, have been showcased and appreciated at international film festivals in the recent past — or won national awards — it would be endless. Even if one were to look at mainstream popular cinema, the biggest blockbuster of the previous year was by an FTII graduate, Rajkumar Hirani.
It’s no surprise that students are aghast at the appointment of a cultural novice to head this premier institute. They rightly see this as an assault on their artistic sensibilities and a degradation of the idea of arts education. It’s akin to picking up a roadside medicine tout to head an institution like Aiims. Is the government saying that the FTII is a worthless institution that only deserves the likes of Gajendra Chauhan to head it? Or could it not find a person of higher intellectual calibre related to the world of arts and films? Or, in its eyes, do Chauhan’s achievements constitute real art?
That the FTII has a multitude of problems is no secret. Its biggest problem has been a lack of quality teachers who can mentor and inspire. Institutes are not built on buildings and equipment, but nurtured by minds who bring out individual creativity. And when the government imposes on them a head who is not only symptomatic of this gap but actually aggravates it, one can only sympathise with the students’ angst.
The writer, a national award winner, is director of ‘Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan’ and ‘Chauthi Koot’
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bad-review/2/#sthash.brYYkGaC.dpuf

 

[sarang]

Gajendra Chauhan is symptomatic of the lack of quality teachers at FTII.

Next the eminent director will demand, sack all and make me chairman. He is free to express his opinion, and he will not allow anyone to interfere in his fort. Govt must do what it thinks is right, the students and their external supporters will interfere in areas not their concern.

The new director must follow what roorki did, rusticate law breakers.