Close X
Monday, October 7, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

FTII Protest: Aparna Sen, Bengal Filmmakers Hit Out At Saffronisation

Darpan News Desk IANS, 20 Jul, 2015 12:05 PM
    Critically-acclaimed filmmakers from West Bengal led by national award winner Aparna Sen on Monday lashed out at "attempts at saffronisation" in the wake of the agitation at the FTII where students are protesting against actor Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as its new chairman.
     
    Urging all Indians to back the agitation at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, the filmmakers cautioned that incidents like these were "case studies and not in isolation".
     
    "If a lot of people from a particular party are nominated in a society, then there is a very bad side to it politically. I think the voices of protests and dissent could be stifled. There may be possibilities of saffronisation," Sen said told the media here.
     
    As protests at the premier film school entered the 39th day, she noted that in public perception, appointments of people like Chauhan to such bodies could be construed as the Sangh Parivar's efforts at "saffronisation".
     
    She said that while it was not possible to erase "political colour or influence completely" from such institutions, "anti-establishment protests always start from such schools. And there will be problems if these voices are stifled".
     
    "I declare my support for the students' protests. And I feel all countrymen should back these protests," Sen said.
     
    FTII alumni and filmmaker Indranil Roychowdhury said it was important for people to understand why the FTII issue was important because it was "not going to end there".
     
    "There is a big concerted agenda which, because of its sheer ignorance, is exposing itself day by day. Chauhan is part of that exposure but it is not going to end there, which is why it is important for common people to understand what is happening."
     
    Citing examples of appointments at the Indian Council of Historical Research and other institutes, Roychowdhury said these point to "RSS gene bank's ideological bankruptcy".
     
     
    "They don't have people who can pass off as legitimate appointments," he said.
     
    Documentary filmmaker Sourav Sarangi, also an FTII alumnus, questioned whether Chauhan's appointment was a "prize" for his contribution to the BJP's campaigns.
     
    Citing the issue as a case study, national award winning director and cinematographer Ranjan Palit referred to recent "anti-India" and "anti-Hindu" comments against Indian Institutes of Technology made by an RSS mouthpiece.
     
    "This is a dangerous trend. Under the Narendra Modi government, there is an attempt to slowly bring in the Hindu Rashtra ideology that was perpetrated by RSS ideologue M.S. Golwalkar," Palit said.
     
    However, FTII alumnus and director Ashoke Viswanathan said the "fault is not with the government" but the fault lies with some people who took the decision of Chauhan's appointment.
     
    "The government must step in immediately and there must be a parley. The chairman's appointment should follow the tradition of appointing legends like Satyajit Ray and Saeed Mirza," Vishwanathan said.
     
    The chairman of such an institution should inspire the students, should have a vision and students should be able to look up to him, said Sen. "So such a person must have a body of work as his contribution."
     
    Many Bollywood celebrities have expressed their opinion on the issue, with Sen being the latest one to side with the students.

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    Explore World Cinema, Suggests Aamir

    Explore World Cinema, Suggests Aamir
    Aamir Khan, whose Bollywood entertainer "PK" has achieved stupendous success globally, says in India people still don't look enough for world cinema.

    Explore World Cinema, Suggests Aamir

    Rishi Kapoor Spends Five Hours In Makeup Room

    Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who would next be seen in "Kapoor and Sons", says he spends five hours in the makeup room to get dressed.

    Rishi Kapoor Spends Five Hours In Makeup Room

    Sofia Vergara Celebrates First Anniversary With Fiance

    Sofia Vergara Celebrates First Anniversary With Fiance
    "Modern Family" actress Sofia Vergara celebrated her first anniversary of being together with her fiance Joe Manganiello.

    Sofia Vergara Celebrates First Anniversary With Fiance

    Feeling Like A Star: 'DID Super Moms' Winner

    Feeling Like A Star: 'DID Super Moms' Winner
    Mumbai-based housewife Harpreet Khatri, winner of the second season of dance reality show “Dance India Dance Super Moms”, is "flying without wings" after tasting victory. She asserts mothers should not kill their dreams after marriage.

    Feeling Like A Star: 'DID Super Moms' Winner

    Fawad Khan To Show Comic Avatar In New TV Show

    Based on the modern adaptation of Mirat-ul-Uroos by Nazir Ahmad Dehlvi, “Aaja Sajna Miliye Juliye”, which will be aired on Zindagi, is a roller-coaster ride of drama, romance and delightful splashes of light-hearted comedy.

    Fawad Khan To Show Comic Avatar In New TV Show

    SRK Nostalgic About Again Working With Kajol

    SRK Nostalgic About Again Working With Kajol
    A sense of nostalgia seems to have engulfed Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has started working with Kajol for "Dilwale", five years after featuring with her in "My Name Is Khan".

    SRK Nostalgic About Again Working With Kajol