Anupam Kher discusses govt-funded education, his vision for FTII and how being vocal has impacted his life
Newly-appointed Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Chairperson Anupam Kher says that the institute is a place which is the future of the entertainment department and should be taken seriously.
Talking about improving the condition of Film and Television Institute of India, Anupam said, “Intention is the most crucial factor in building a strong institute. And the blueprint has to be made. Unfortunately, in the last few years Film and Television Institute of India has been projected as a troubled place — whether it is the students strike or the appointment of the previous Chairman. I think it is an institution that should be taken seriously — a place where people are trained. One cannot deny the fact that as an institution, it has produced some of the finest actors, directors, producers, cameraman, technicians and sound people. And it’s the future of the
entertainment industry. So that needs to be perfected and what I bring in is not my knowledge, it’s my earnestness.
“let’s this get out of our system that it’s not a sick place. It’s may be a little wounded. But I would like to heal it.”
Anupam was announced as the new Chairperson of Film and Television Institute of India on October 11. He succeeded the controversial Gajendra Chauhan, whose appointment in 2014 had
triggered widespread student protests.
“Whenever you go back to your previous school, you feel it’s not the same. So, that was my first reaction that it’s not the same place but that was my first visit about 15 days back. When I went yesterday, I started getting excited about the studio, the facilities, the wisdom tree, the quietness,” he added.
Talking about govt-funding to the film school, he said, “See I went to the National School of Drama. And opted for a three year course over there. Before that, I persued a one-year course in Chandigarh. later I taught in an institute near lucknow, which had a one-year course. For people who come to my school, Actor Prepares, we offer them a three months course in acting. But even after those three months you can still be a very bad actor. However, we give a beginning to the thing. likewise, in a government institution, I personally feel it takes a little time to produce professionals. Jo art form hoti hain na iss main logon ko yakeen hota hain arey yeh to hamare andar hota hain. That’s all rubbish. I think a government institution has the liberty and the sources to have a course which should be longer. I know it is important. I thank God for a person like me, if the government hadn’t put a Rs 2-3 hundred rupees scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to join drama school either in Chandigarh or in Delhi or in the Film and Television Institute of India.”
Anupam said that the place is replaced by the energy now. “There are no placards saying that we are unhappy.
“I am an eternal optimist. I see what is positive in a person and about a place. So, I don’t say ‘arey yeh problem’ (Oh! this problem)… that will bog me down,” he added.
Reacting to the open letter by Film and Television Institute of India Students Association listing demands like inclusion in Governing Council meetings, Anupam said, “That’s a decision we have to sit down and listen. See there is no end to making somebody happy. So there is no ideal situation in life. Also, there is no end to listening to all kinds of thing. let us cross the bridge when we reach it. Slowly and steadly we will do it, but at the end of it, it’s very important to provide them education.”
Talking about the impact of his views on his life, “I have lost on certain friends, work and even on certain issues. Not for my political views but because of my views. Why you people are sort of saying intolerance in the country, intolerance was there in 75’, intolerance was there in 84’. Intolerance was there when Kashmiri pandits were thrown out. This is double standard of these people. I am a self-made man. That’s the arrogance of a self-made person that he doesn’t mind about this things.”