In a recent episode of violence that has shocked the film education community, the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune became the site of a serious altercation, instigated by right-wing activists against the institute’s students. The catalyst for this confrontation, which took place on January 23, was a banner displayed on the campus that read: ‘Remember Babri, death of Constitution.’ This incident has escalated tensions on the campus and led to a demand for immediate action from the institute’s leadership.
This assault has not gone unnoticed, as 300 distinguished FTII alumni – amongst whom are Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, “Badhaai Do” director Harshavardhan Kulkarni, and esteemed film editor Antara Lahiri – have collectively authored and disseminated an open letter demanding the end to the violence perpetrated against current students. They have called for a cessation of academic activities, and there is now an appeal to the institute’s president, the actor and filmmaker R Madhavan, to step forward and address the situation.
The aftermath of the encounter saw two First Information Reports (FIRs) being registered. The first, lodged at the Deccan police station on January 24, targeted the instigators of the violence. The second FIR, however, was filed against seven students by members of the organization believed to be responsible for the aggression. A student, preferring to remain nameless, reported that amidst this turmoil, they faced false allegations —specifically that they had solicited suggestions on the reconstruction of Babri Masjid, which they vehemently denied being true.
Adding to the confusion, two individuals named in the FIR, Mankalan Chakravarty and Nathan Chakropadhyay, were falsely implicated, as they are not part of the FTII student body. Students shared that they were left to manage the escalating situation on their own, as per the registrar’s office’s stance. Consequently, a decision was made to commence an academic halt, with student organizations reaching out to other academic unions for support.
What is particularly perplexing to many is the silence from R Madhavan during these unsettling times. The students are dependent on their alumni, who have thus far demonstrated their commitment to their welfare. Amid calls for the restoration of peace and normalcy, the alumni are also advocating for reinforced security measures to ensure the safety of the students within the campus environment. A former student from the 2018 batch has stated they are engaging with law enforcement to guarantee enhanced protection, emphasizing the need for prompt action against those responsible for the violence.
The unrest at FTII has brought to the forefront discussions regarding freedom of expression and safety within educational environments in India. The situation is delicate, with many looking towards the institute’s administration for a strong stance against intimidation and for preserving the right to academic freedom. It is hoped that with appropriate intervention and increased security, FTII can once again become a safe haven for budding artists and filmmakers to learn, create, and express without fear of retaliation or censorship.
Moreover, the broader implications of the incident point to a concerning trend of intolerance and the use of violence to silence divergent viewpoints, an issue that the entire nation must address head-on. As one of the premier educational institutions in the field of cinema, FTII has the responsibility to set a precedent in upholding the values of discourse and democracy.
The film community, along with academic circles across the country, await further developments and proactive measures from FTII’s administration. It remains to be seen what steps will be taken by R Madhavan in his capacity as president to defuse the situation and chart a constructive course forward for one of India’s most revered educational establishments in the realm of film and television.
