Timely completion of courses big challenge, says FTII director

Dharmendra Jai Narain gears up for his new role

The information and Broadcasting Ministry of India announced the appointment ofu00a0 Dharmendra Jai Narain as the new director of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) yesterday. An officer of the 1990 batch of Indian Information Service, Narain was serving at the information and broadcasting ministry and last year worked on a mega-theatrical production 'Jamunia', a two-hour musical production. "I think Jamunia was my gateway to the FTII because soon after the production was staged at four places, I was called for the post of FTII."


All set to shine: FTII director Dharmendra Jai Narain has lot of plans
up his sleeves for the country's premier institute

Narain said he had come to the institute with an open mind and wanted to give his best shot. "I know there has been some issue going on but they can be resolved. I am open to ideas and also ready to hear issues that the students and the faculties have. I haven't met the students yet and will be meeting them today."

Narain admitted that completion of courses was indeed a big challenge and he would focus on it. "There are lots of things that needs to be done, but before that, I have to meet lots of people, groups and stakeholders in the growth of the institute. It's too early to speak about these plans," he said.

Narain is also the lead singer-cum-composer of popular pop and rock band The Aryans. "We have been performing 50 shows over the year and mostly practise and perform over the weekend." Some 10 years ago, he also served as the Defense spokesperson, Southern Command.u00a0 "It's great to be back in the city mostly because of the weather," he said.