Film students gain support of big guns

Say Resul Pookutty, Raj Kumar Hirani, others from film industry ready to lend their voice to student struggle after being approached at IFFI in Goa

Say Resul Pookutty, Raj Kumar Hirani, others from film industry ready to lend their voice to student struggle after being approached at IFFI in Goa

The students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) are on a mission to garner support for their protest against the film institute's alleged privatisation. And they have got support from some very big names from the film fraternity.

Oscar winner Resul Pookutty has pledged his support to the students' cause and even promised to approach politician Rahul Gandhi and protest against FTII's privatisation.

"Pookutty expressed deep regret over the privatisation of FTII as it was his alma mater as well. Since Rahul is known to be a politician close to issues of the youth, Pookutty has promised to speak to him about this issue," said Samarth Dixit, president of the students association of FTII.

In fact, students who have been approaching filmmakers and others from the industryu00a0 at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) said that a number of celebrities have committed their support either directly or indirectly.

"I approached Raj Kumar Hirani and explained our plight. He seemed to take keen interest in the matter," said Goraksh Dey, an FTII student who is in Goa for IFFI. "We told him that there is an online petition being signed against the privatisation of FTII and he promised to be a part of it."

Besides Pookutty and Hirani, other well known names like actor and director Anant Mahadevan, actress Mita Vashisht, Marathi filmmaker Gajendra Ahire and some filmmakers from the South Indian film industry have signed the students' petition.

A few filmmakers of foreign origin also expressed sympathy with the students and pledged to plead for their case by writing to the institute.

"A few filmmakers from abroad like Hungarian filmmaker Zsolte Tozsgai, who we met at IFFI, were keen to know about our struggle," said Dey. "He agreed that an institution like FTII where even students with modest backgrounds can pursue their dreams should not be privatised. He has promised support in all forms possible."

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