His show has just begun

Nonika Singh in Chandigarh

The two appointments that have caused much heartburn and angst among the film fraternity and cinephiles since the BJP-led dispensation came to power at the Centre are perhaps too well known to bear repetition. One thorn in the flesh of those who  revel in creative liberty and freedom of expression  was taken out only recently, much to most film buff’s delight. The exit of sanskari chief Pahlaj Nihalani and entry of Prasoon Joshi was indeed too good to be true piece of news.

Now as Anupam Kher takes over as the new FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) chief, do we hear a collective gasp of relief once again? Indeed, unlike his predecessor Gajendra Chauhan whose elevation was both political and inexplicable, few can have quarrels with Kher’s enormous talent and creative energy. Even his administrative experience that has seen him at the helm of the NSD and CBFC among other bodies should stand him in good stead. Right now he is making the right noises too about how he would be a facilitator and not a top down administrator.  

However, as the baton passes from one BJP loyalist to another many may feel it is not exactly cause for cheer. The sharply divided twitterati was abuzz both with congratulatory notes and snide remarks. Friends of Kher sense in his appointment a refreshing whiff of air.  Veteran actor Satish Kaushik, who too like Kher spent six months at the FTII as part of his NSD course, stands happy and proud, a tad boastful of the achievements of his friend and associate of four decades. Others like showman Subhash Ghai, also an FTII alumnus, and Anil Kapoor too nod their heads in agreement. Students, however while conceding, “the person can’t be separate from his body of work”, are in no mood to rejoice, at least not for now. They have already shot an open letter to Kher, just as they did to Chauhan. With Chauhan whose tenure ended on March 3, 2017, of course, the stand-off was rather grave and they did not allow him to function for several months. This time around they are not questioning the new chairperson’s credentials. But Kher’s comments on intolerance, his march against those who returned national awards and his rather condescending attitude towards the institution itself are areas of conflict. Then there is conflict of interest issue. “Can a man who is already running an acting school in Mumbai be the chairperson of a government-run institute,” questions Robin Joy, president of the student federation, FTII. 

Do we sniff more trouble brewing, and more importantly can an institution be defined or undermined by one man alone? Mukesh Khanna, head of Children’s Film Society, doesn’t think so. In fact, he couldn’t understand the hoopla that followed when Chauhan was chosen to head FTII. As the institute was locked in ‘who will blink first’ deadlock, students went on a strike which lasted 139-long days. Though they finally did stage a tactical retreat, it is certain that they never acquiesced. 

Indeed, Kher or Chauhan are the least of FTII problems. This much even their baiters are ready to concede. What exactly is not right with India’s premier film institute depends entirely on which side of the prism you are examining the issue. From strictly administrative point of view, students overstaying their welcome in the institute is forever a cankerous concern.  Students, on the other hand, believe that the administration, especially the director, conveniently shifts the blame of their own shortcomings and lack of proper infrastructural facilities like colour gradation on students. Their open letter lists out many issues, including arbitrary changes in syllabus, logic of running short courses for sheer generation of funds and functioning of credit-based system. The ‘welcome band’ that greeted  Kher during his surprise visit to the institute had put up another grouse on the banner.  Whether these grievances will provide fodder to a fresh conflagration or not, students are at best sceptical. Clearly Kher is not moving to a very conducive “welcome with open arms” atmosphere which many feel has been vitiated not just in past couple of years when Chauhan took charge but much before that too. Strikes are not uncommon in the FTII and actually go back to seventies when the institute produced some sterling actors such as Naseeruddin Shah. But in last few years the institution’s prestige and image has suffered deeply. 

Can Kher reverse the tide or is the damage irreversible? Surprisingly, even Khanna a BJP man himself, has no hesitation in saying, “He can bring it back on the track but the sheen once lost can’t be regained so quickly.” As for students, well sometime ago they may have felt that the FTII will never be the same again but they don’t look back at the time lost with regret or lament. For them, it never was lose-lose situation, just as now isn’t a win-win one.  But Kher can break through the impasse, provided he walks the talk and proves true to his commitment to sit across and thrash out the matter. Students, who believe the space for dialogue had gone missing might seem recalcitrant, but would only be too happy to reclaim that ground.  Till then, perhaps they find meaning and inspiration in Abhijit Naskar’s words , “Take the clapper and become the alarm that the world so desperately needs.” 

[email protected]