Students at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Itanagar’s Screen Acting Department have begun boycotting classes. They cite ongoing shortages in infrastructure, faculty, and administrative support. Students have written to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, demanding immediate action.
The boycott follows repeated communications and missed deadlines by institute authorities since December 2024 . Students demand a written response to their concerns within seven days. They also suggested relocating the course to another FTII campus, such as Pune, if issues at Itanagar remain unresolved.
Years of Unresolved Issues
Students report engaging in multiple meetings and sending formal letters to institute authorities, SRFTI, MIB representatives, and CPWD since December 2024 . Key dates include meetings on December 17, January 9, and January 15 . Despite promises, students state no major developments occurred on campus. This led to two academic halts in a single semester. After resuming classes in August, construction projects remain incomplete, further compromising training.
One semester of professional training has already been affected. Students warn further delays will compromise their learning outcomes and professional readiness. Practical training forms the core of their course, requiring specific infrastructure, facilities, and faculty guidance.
Key Demands: Infrastructure and Facilities
The students outlined specific infrastructure deficits making their current training untenable:
- Working & Performance Spaces: The institute has one major studio and one performing space. Students describe these as structurally incomplete, acoustically inadequate, and affected by external noise. They requested three separate, functional spaces: a dance studio, a large multi-use studio, and a black box theatre.
- Dance Studio: Current proposals for shared mirror/studio solutions are impractical. Students requested a standalone dance studio for 20-40 students, equipped with professional lighting and wooden flooring.
- Makeup Studio: A proposed 50-70 sq. ft. room for makeup is insufficient. Students requested a dedicated studio for at least 20 students, with mirrors, lighting, seating, and locker space.
- Props Department: A structured system for prop procurement, storage, and maintenance is absent. Students often source items externally due to this lack.
- Carpentry Department: The absence of a carpentry unit affects set fabrication, timelines, and exercise safety. Students requested a fully functional department with trained carpenters, tools, and materials.
- Costume Department: Students demanded a costume department with skilled tailors, storage, repair facilities, and a student-faculty committee for planning and procurement.
- Preview Theatre: The institute lacks a functional preview theatre. Students require one with a proscenium layout, professional lighting, a control room, and green rooms for demonstrations and screenings.
Faculty and Academic Governance Concerns
Students also raised issues regarding academic quality and decision-making transparency:
- Faculty Capability & Mentorship: Students reported dissatisfaction with current faculty, citing a lack of structured guidance, subject-specific expertise, and pedagogical competence. They requested replacing faculty with educators experienced in screen acting and appointing an industry mentor.
- Academic Decision-Making: Students called for inclusion of a departmental student representative in the Academic Council and participation in planning committees. They requested an updated syllabus, weekly academic plan, and a list of visiting faculty.
Institutional Branding and Visibility
The appeal highlights a lack of official institutional presence:
- Public Relations: The institute lacks an official website, social media presence, student ID cards, email IDs, and a verified Google location. Students requested establishing a Public Relations and Branding Cell to ensure national visibility.
Student Ultimatum
Students declared they will not return to the FTII Itanagar campus until all demands are met in full. They refuse academic input from current faculty or any makeshift arrangements. Their letter includes a detailed request for timelines, responsible offices, and verifiable actions for each issue. Students state their intent is to secure conditions necessary for professional film education.