His name was Manjit. Yes, a Sardar he was. We called him ‘Masto’. Like all good Sardars, he kept beard, wore Turban n Karha, drinking was a big No No, and yeah, mast by character, roaming freely like n elephant, and his size too was quite close to baby elephant …
He only completed his Grad for it being the minimum requirement for admission in NSD (National School of Drama, New Delhi) and FTII (Film And Television Institute, Pune ) . As soon as he heard that he passed in 2nd division , he was jubilant. ‘O Badshaou, Pass ho Gaye Yaara! ‘. Not even Fundo, who topped the exams, n made it into IIT
was any match to this guy’s unjustified excitement out of a 2nd hand effort!
No sooner that he confirmed his clearance, he rushed to us with forms of FTII and NSD. During our college days, we were more into extra curricular activates than studies. We participated in hell lot of Dramas and managed to win some big prizes too. We used pen down our own plays in a ‘Chekhov meets Manto meets Ray’ kin of effort ( add ‘unsuccessful’ to ‘effort’ for more clarity !). Never really thought of earning bread out of it, but then this Sardar was quite serious about directing his own movie, and we never did things ‘alag-alag’ - be it passing chits in exams, tracing out phone number of a chick, or crying like kids on farewell, we did everything together…
So all of us (we were five) gave exams for FTII (Masto gave of NSD too, but there was a decent gap between the two, so there was no prob). Me n Masto got a call, and were asked to join a seven day (or so) cinema appreciation course, which was to be followed by an interview. And so, after a fortnight , we were there in Pune…
FTII, Film and Television Institute of India, Pune : Ok, we googled to find out the details and came to know that it’s the oldest (1960) and most reputed institute for learning technicalities of film making - not only in India, but is very well known across Asia. In fact, we had a Russian among us, who came from all the way , just to give the interview, so that speaks for its popularity. Some of the best known names in Hindi and regional cinema are FTII Alumni - Subhash Ghai, David Dhawan, Nasser, Om Puri , Jaya Bacchan, Shabana Azmi , and many more… all from FTII.
FTII offers 3 year course in various departments of film making :
Direction.
Editing.
Cinematography.
Sound Recording.
The Procedure : For applying in it, you have to be a graduate (you know that already), then u got to pass out a written test, which if I can remember correctly has two papers – one GK type and 2nd one deals with logic-reasoning and creative writing skills. There are limited seats ( 12 in each Deptt. I guess, including reservation for NRI n Foreign student), of thousands who apply each year, a few are short listed for interview and from them, the final selection is made. If you can submit your earlier creative works (from plays scripts to short films, add or any other certified experience in the field) , you are given priority .
I have heard that they have now started course in Acting, and Script Writing too. When we went there, it was’nt available then, but I think, they have started acting course again – in fact, I somewhere read that their new acting batch has passed out , so that confirms the news.
I am not sure about fees as it keeps on changing every year, so you better get it from there official website.
During those seven days, we were shown a mixture of Hindi, English n other foreign lang films, along with graduation films by FTII alumni. We attained some lectures on art of appreciation of films, and most of the faculty there was reputed as the institute itself. Though then, there was some rumors of FTII being privatized and there was a lot of tension between FTII students and Management ; we even came to know that FTII was on its verge of closing (or selling), but I think, its well out of that phase and I hope it functions smoothly, without any further mess.
FTII also boasts of having the most comprehensive collection of
Film Archives from all over the world, and we were fortunate to get a glimpse of it in that short period.
All an all, its an unique institute. Now we have SRFTI in Kolkata (there is one in Chennai as well ), and lots private film institutes r popping up quickly too, but still, for its exceptional glorious past and consistency, FTII remains the undisputed choice for anyone , who wants to learn the technical aspect of film making, in a proper bookish way of course…
For more details about FTII, pls go to : http://www.ftiindia.com
PS : Neither of us made it to FTII, I just came to accompany Masto, but he was really upset for not making it. Thou, we went to Osho Commune Center during our stay, and those 3 hours stay was so interesting, that I can frame a film out of it altogether..