Give 48 hours notice for film screening: FTII

Pune: Students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) would now be required to inform the administration 48 hours in advance about the films they are going to screen in the Classroom Theatre on weekends. This new rule comes in the backdrop of a conflict between the FTII and its students over commemorating Dr B.R. Ambedkar, wherein the administration alleged that students had not sought permission to screen films and hold guest lectures.

Earlier, students could seek permission only a few hours in advance to screen a film on weekends. However, this rule will not apply during weekdays.

Dr Amit Tyagi, dean of FTII, said, “Now onwards students need to inform us 48 hours before screening of the movie on weekends. Many a times, there is no faculty or administration at campus on weekends. That is one reason why we have taken the decision.”

However students have alleged that the administration wants to censor their activities. Robin Joy, president of FTII students association, said, “We are also asked to brief in advance about what kind of films we are going to screen. Basically, administration wants to censor all our activities. This has been happening since the students strike opposing selection of Gajendra Chauhan in 2015. Earlier, there were not many restrictions.” He also added, “Classroom Theatre is students’ space and administration cannot ban our activities here.”

Refuting charges of censorship, Mr Tyagi said, “There are no restrictions on students over what type of films to be screened. The only rule is porn films cannot be screened. The campus has students of all ideologies ranging from extreme left to right and they keep screening films or organise activities according to their ideologies.” Upon being contacted by this newspaper, FTII director, Bhupendra Khainthola refused to talk.