Jahnu Barua too quits FTII Society

PUNE: National Award-winning filmmaker and Padma Bhushan awardee Jahnu Barua has formally written to the Film and Television Institute of India’s director D J Narain saying that he does not want to be a part of the institute’s society because “the government’s decision is not going in favour of students”.
Barua wrote to the FTII director two days ago “expressing his reservation with respect to the nomination on the FTII society”.
The government had ruled out revoking of actor Gajendra Chauhan’s appointment as FTII’s chairman or the dissolution of the FTII Society with its current members. FTII students do not want Chauhan as the chairman of the film training institute.
On Sunday, actor Pallavi Joshi, whos a member of the society, decided to stay away. The society is yet to begin work as no formal first meeting has taken place. Earlier, Barua had expressed his concern about the strike to the director.
“My association with the FTII and SRFTI has been a long one. As an FTII alumnus and a filmmaker, I am emotionally attached to the film institute. I felt it is my duty to speak my mind. I was hoping that something good will come out of the delegation’s meeting with the I&B ministry. But, the government’s decision was unfortunate. I feel sad for the students,” Barua told TOI.
Barua has directed films like Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai, Baandhon and Ajeyo. He studied film direction at the institute in 1974. He has won 11 National Awards under various categories and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2015. Barua was the director on the board of the National Film Development Corporation between 2008 and 2011. He was a member of the governing council of the Film and Television Institute of India during the same period.
On the ministry trying to evade core issues related to the strike and promising to grant the status of Centre of National Excellence, Barua said the government has to understand that an institution like FTII which deals with art and culture cannot be measured with money.
Barua said the country lacked understanding of art and culture, their importance and power. “Since independence, art and culture has never been taken seriously in the country. We are at the bottom of the world cinema list. The government talked about the Geeta Krishnan Report (Expenditure Reforms Commission Report) but is it known that the report had suggested shutting down of many institutes along with FTII so that the government can cut down on its expenditure,” Barua said.
He said once the government takes a decision, it is difficult to revoke. “Hence it is important that the government consult all parties so that there is no forcing of a decision on people. The government should have some vision. The film fraternity should also feel responsible to make the government realise this,” Barua said.
On the government ‘hinting at a shut down and privatization of the film institute’, Barua said it will be a “disaster for the government to consider such a step”.
On Chauhan’s stand, Barua said, “If one is not welcome by the students or the faculty, what is the use of going to such a place? I am an artiste first and self-respect is important. In fact, I will gratefully take a step back and be ready to offer my services when required,” he said.