FTII campus (Photo: icultist)The Honourable President of India Rashtrapati BhawanHonourable Sir,We write to you at a time when the film-making community – and the public at large – are deeply perturbed by the ongoing mishandling of affairs at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.The undersigned are all recipients of the National Film Awards over the years, bestowed upon us by the office of the President, in recognition of our films and our cinema-related work.We are writing to collectively bring to your attention the following:The FTII is a premier institute, now in its 55th year. Its alumni include some of the best-known names of the Indian film industry, who have brought national and international recognition to Indian cinema.In June 2015, the Ministry made a series of appointments to the FTII Society. We are dismayed to find among the appointees several people who did not satisfy the minimum criteria of either a ‘significant contribution’ to, or ‘excellence’ in, cinema.We have been particularly disturbed to note that the Ministry had arbitrarily chosen Shri Gajendra Chouhan as the Chairman of the Governing Council, a position earlier held by eminent film-makers like Shri Mrinal Sen, Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, Shri Shyam Benegal, Shri Girish Karnad and Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan, among a host of other eminent appointees. This appears to have been done in haste, sans due diligence or widespread consultations.Even more disturbing is the inclusion of at least four political appointees, with little or no cinematic achievements of note. These include an appointee against whom a Pune Court has passed strictures, doubting her knowledge of cinema, as well as people with no other significant qualification except their affiliation with the political party in power.Even as many of us have registered our protest through the media, the students of FTII have been on an indefinite strike protesting these appointments and what they rightly see as an attempt to interfere with the autonomy of the institute. In the 85 days since they commenced their strike, we have been anguished to observe the myriad ways in which the Ministry has mishandled the complex set of issues brought up by the students, the alumni, the film-making community and the wider civil society.We have been especially disturbed at the victimisation of the students, some of whom were subjected to midnight arrests on what prima facie seem to be grossly exaggerated charges including “torture”.We believe that despite the several discussions held between the Ministry and the students, as well as the various attempts at mediation, especially by eminent alumni, no solution seems to be in sight. We therefore write to you to express our deep anguish and to urge you to intervene directly. We hope your intervention would not just facilitate an end to the current crisis, but also help address the long-term and festering problems faced by the FTII.May we request you to:Declare FTII as a Centre of Excellence and an autonomous institution.Assume charge as the Chancellor.Direct the Government of India to delink FTII from the Ministry of I & B and to urgently complete all the necessary formalities to grant it autonomyAppoint an independent panel of eminent filmmakers to probe and resolve all the issues arising out of the current crisis as well as to facilitate the immediate resumption of classes and the ongoing diploma film projects.Authorise this panel to formally consider all prior reports submitted by various committees – right from the G D Khosla committee (1971) to the P K Nair committee (2011) – and to make final recommendations concerning FTII to your office.We hope you will accord due weightage to our collective voices and share in our desire to preserve an invaluable institution like the FTII.We are writing to you as a last resort, before considering any further concerted steps or protests.The signatories are listed in alphabetical order in two sets, first the alumni from FTII followed by members of the film fraternity.Abhaya Simha, Director Gubbachigalu, 2008Abhik Mukhopadhyay, Cinematographer Patalghar, 2002; Bhalo Theko, 2003; Antaheen, 2008Abhimanyu Dange, Cinematographer Kaatal, 2012Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Director Padma Shri, 1984; Dada Saheb Phalke Award, 2004; Padma Vibhushan, 2006; 17 National AwardsAjithkumar B., Editor Of Confucious, Toy Guns and S- Spots, 1999; Atman, 2002; Naalu Pennungal, 2007Ajit Singh Rathore, Sound Designer Kramasha, 2009Amit Dutta, Director Ksha Tra Gya, 2004Amitabh Chakraborty, Editor, Director Bishar Blues, 2006; Kaal Abhirati, 1990Amlan Datta, Director, Producer Chronicle of an amnesiac, 2007; .in for motion, 2009; BOM, 2011Andrea Inneta, Director Allah is Great, 2012Anil Mehta, Cinematographer Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, 1999Anish John, Sound Designer Asha Jaoar Majhe, 2014Anirban Dasgupta, Sound designer Shabdo 2012; Nirbashito, 2014Anjali Shukla, Cinematographer Kutty Srank,2010Anmol Bhave, Sound Designer Closer,2005; Gandha, 2008Anup Mukhopadhyay, Audiographer Uttara, 1999Arghyakamal Mitra, Editor Abohoman, 2009Arunaraje Patil, Producer, Director Mallika Sarabhai, 2000; A New Paradigm, 2002; Behind The Glass Wall, 2014Arun Khopkar, Director, Producer, Film Scholar Tobacco Habits and Oral Cancer, 1976; Figures of Thought, 1990; Sanchari, 1994; Colours of Absence, 1995; Rasikapriya, 2000; Narayan Gangaram Surve, 2004Arunima Sharma, Director Shyam, Raat, Seher, 2010Ashok Viswanathan, Director Sunya Theke Suru, 1992; Kichhu Sanglap Kichhu Prolap, 1996Avinash Arun, Director, cinematographer Killa, 2014Batul Mukhtiar, Director Kaphal, 2014Bina Paul, Editor Mitr, 2002; Unni, 2003Bishwadeep Chatterjee, Sound Designer Madras Café, 2014Chandita Mukherjee, Director Totanama, 1992; Another Way of Learning, 1995Charushree Roy, Director, Editor Chasing the rainbow, 2014Chinmoy Nath, Audiographer The Vehicle with the Soul of a Man, 2000Deepu S Unni, Cinematographer Gaarud, 2009Dilip Patnaik, Director Nilamadhaba, 2008Dipankar Chaki, Sound Designer Shabdo 2012; Nirbashito, 2014Gadadhar Puty, Director Pooja, Paeen, Phulati, 2007Gautam Nair, Sound Designer Ek Do, 2011; Chidhiya Udh, 2013;Girish Kasaravalli, Director Padma Shri, 2011; Avashesh, 1975; Ghatashradhdha, 1977; Tabarana Kathe, 1986; Thaaye Saheba, 1997; Kraurya, 1996; Dweepa, 2002Gurvinder Singh, Director Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan, 2011Hansa Thapliyal, Director Jee Karta Tha, 1998Harikumar Madhavan Nair, Audiography A Pestering Jounrey, 2011Hari Nair, Cinematographer Sham’s Vision, 1996Harshvardhan Kulkarni,Director Lost & found,2008Indraneel Lahiri, Cinematograher Aamar Katha, Story of Binodini,2015Irene Dhar Malik, Editor Celluloid Man, 2013Jahnu Barua, Director Padma Shri, 2015, Aparoopa, 1983; Halodhia Choraye Bhaodan Khai, 1987; Bonani, 1990; Firingoti, 1992; Xagoroloi Bohu Door, 1995; The Price of Freedom, 1998; And the River Flows, 1999; Ride on the Rainbow, 2003; Baandhon, 2012; Ajeyo, 2013Jasmin Kaur, Director Saanjh, 2004Jayakrishna Gummadi, Cinematographer When This Man Dies, 2007Kamal Swaroop, Director Phalke’s Children; RangBhoomi, 2013Kaushal Oza,Director Vaishnav Jan Toh:2009,Afterglow:2012Kavin Jagtiani, Cinematographer Mandrake Mandrake, 2013K. G. George, Director Swapnadanam, 1975K.G. Jayan, Cinematographer 18 Elephants- 3 Monologues, 200350. K.R. Mohanan, Director Purushartham, 1987; Swaroopam, 1992;Kirti Nakhwa, Producer Lost & Found,2008Krishnanunni ,Audiographer Anandaram:1987, Piravi:1988, Desadanam:1996Kundan Shah, Director Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, 1984Lipika Singh Darai, Sound Recordist Gaarud, 2009; A Tree, A Man, A Sea, 2012; Kankee O Saapo, 2013Madhu Ambat, Cinematographer Adi Sankaracharya, 1984; Sringaram, 2006; Adaminte Makan Abu, 2010Mahesh Thottathil, Director Death of a Prodigal Son, 1994Manisha Dwiwedi,Director Avchetan, 2003Manoj Kannoth, Editor Stations, 2008Manoj Nitharwal, Director Seek & Hide, 2015Manoj Lobo, Cinematographer Girni, 2005M.P. Sukumaran Nair, Director Sayanam, 2001; Drishtantham, 2007M.R. Rajan, Director Pakarnnattam, 1997; Ithihasathite Sparsham, 1999; Unarvite Kalam, 1999; Nottam, 2000; Minukku, 2006Murali, Cinematographer Shyam,Raat,Seher, 2010Nandan Kudhyadi, Director, Producer C.V. Raman, 1989; Rasayatra, 1995Nandkumar Kavil, Director Athmeeyam, 1996Nihar Samal,Sound Designer Tatvam Asi, 1997;Nilanjan Dutta, Director Bhanga Gara:2007Nishtha Jain, Director Gulaabi Gang, 2014Pankaj Purandare, Director Dwija, 2004Pankaj Seal, Audiographer Matir Bhnar, 1998Paresh Kamdar, Editor Rasayatra, 1994P.P. Govindan, Malbarriyum Pattunoolam, 1992Prashant Naik, Editor Harvest of Hunger, 2004Prateek Vats, Director Kal 15 August Dukaan Band Rahegi, 2010Radhakrishnan, Sound Designer Anayam Resulam,2013Rajat Kapoor, Director Tarana, 1995; Hynothesis, 1998; Raghu Romeo, 2004Rajeev Ravi, Cinematographer Liar’s Dice, 2013Ranjan Palit, Cinematographer, Director Voices from Baliapal, 1989; In the Forest Hangs the Bridge, 1998; Kaya Pooch Maya Se, 2003 ; In Camera, 2009Reena Mohan, Director, Editor Kamlabai 1991; In The Forest Hangs a Bridge, 1998Renu Sawant, Director Airawat : 2011, Aranyak :2014Resul Pookutty, Sound Designer Padma Shri, 2010; Keralavarm Pazhissiraja, 2009Saeed Mirza, Director, Mohan Joshi Hazar Ho, 1984; Naseem, 1996Saikat S Ray, Editor Hope Dies Last In War, 2007Sanjiv Shah, Editor Mirch Masala, 1985Sanju Surendran, Director Kapila, 2014Sankalp Meshram, Editor, Director Lokpriya, 2000; Chhutkan Ki Mahabharat, 2005; Lasya Kavya- The world of Alarmel Valli, 2012Santosh Sivan, Cinematographer, Director, Producer Padma Shri, 2014, Story of Tiblu, 1988; Mohiniyattam, 1991; Perumthachan, 1991; Halo, 1996; Kala Paani, 1996; Iruvar, 1998; Malli, 1998; The Terrorist, 1998; Dil Se, 1999; Navarasa, 2004; Prarambha, 2008; Indian Rupee, 2011Satheesh P.M., Sound Designer Kumar Talkies, 1999Satya Rai Nagpaul, Cinematographer Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan, 2011Shabnam Sukhdev, Director The Last Adieu, 2013Shaji N. Karun, Cinematographer, Director Padma Shri, 2011, Thampu, 1979; Piravi, 1989; Swaham, 1995; Sham’s Vision, 1997; Vanaprastham, 1999; Kutty Srank, 2009Shanker Raman, Cinematographer, Producer Frozen, 2007; Harud, 2012Sivaprasad Ormayude TheerangalilSourav Sarangi, Director Bilal, 2009; Char: The No-Man’s Island, 2012Subash Sahoo, Sound Engineer and Designer Omkara, 2007; Kaminey, 2010Sudhakar Reddy,Director-Cinematographer Ek Akaash, 200397. Sudheer Palsane, Cinematographer Koyad, 2012Sunil Sukhtankar, Doghi:1996,Devrai:2004Sunny Joseph, Director Clown and Dog, 1984100.Suresh Pai, Editor SNIP!, 2001; Page 3, 2005101.Susant Misra, Director Indradhanura Chhaai, 1994; Biswaprakash, 2000102.Tathagata Singha, Director Ekti Kaktaliyo Galpo, 2009103.Umesh Kulkarni,Director Girni:2004,Three of us :2008,Deool:2011104.Unni Vijayan, Director Lessons in Forgetting, 2012105.Venu, Cinematographer, Director Amma Ariyan, 1986; Miss Beatty’s Children, 1992; Ponthan Mada, 1993; Daya, 1998106.Vinod Sukumaran, Director Diary of a Housewife, 2002107.Virendra Saini, Cinematographer, Director Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, 1990; Kabhi Paas Kabhi Fail, 1999 108.Vivek, Sound Designer Ksha Tra Gya, 2004109.V.R. Gopinath, Kooduthal Paal Venamenkil:1983, Unnikuttanu Joli Kitti:1990SIGNATORIES FROM THE FILM FRATERNITY110.Aditya Bikram Sengupta Asha Jawar Majhe, 2014111.Anand Patwardhan, Director Bombay Our City, 1984112. Anindya Chattopadhyay, lyricist Antaheen, 2008113. Anirban Dasgupta Shabdo, 2012; Nirbhashito, 2014114. Aniruddha RoyChowdhury, Producer Anuranan, 2007; Antaheen, 2008115. Anjali Menon, Dialogue writer Ustad Hotel, 2012116. Anjan Dutt, Music director Ranjana Aami Aar Ashbo, 2011117. Anwar Rasheed, best Popular film Ustad Hotel, 2012118. Aparna Sen, Padma Shri 1987, 36, Chowringhee Lane, 1981; Paroma, 1984; Yugant, 1995; Paromitar Ek din, 2000; Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 2001; 15, Park Avenue, 2005119.Asha Achy Joseph, Producer Diary of a Housewife, 2002120.Asok Dasgupta, Cinematographer The Trail, 1998121. Ashim Ahluwalia, Director John and Jane, 2007; Miss Lovely, 2014122. Ayan Bhattacharya, audiographer Tender is the night, 2014123. Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Producer, Director Bagh Bahadur, 1989 Charachar, 1983 Lal Darja, 1997 Mondo Meyer Upakhyan, 2002 Kaalpurush, 2008 Dooratwa, 1978 Phera, 1987 Tahader Katha, 1993 A Painter of Eloquent Silence: Ganesh Pyne, 1998 Uttara, 2000 Swapner Din, 2005124. Chandramala Bhattacharya, producer Kahini, 1996125.C.S.Venkiteswaran, Critic, Director Best Critic, 2002, 2009; Pakarnnattam, 1995126. Dibakar Banerjee, Director Khosla Ka Ghosla, 2007, Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye, 2009127. Dipankar Chaki, Sound Designer Shabdo, 2012; Nirbhashito, 2014128. G.P.Ramachandran, Critic Best Critic, 2006129. Gayatri Chatterjee, Film Scholar Awara, 1993130. Geetanjali Thapa, Actress Liars Dice, 2013131. Hansal Mehta, Director Shahid, 2013132. I.Shanmugadas, Critic 1999133. Iram Ghufran, Director, Editor There is Something in the Air, 2011134. Joshy Mathew, Producer Black Forest135. Jayaraj, Director, Producer Kaliyattam, 1997 Vellapokkathil – The Deluge, 2007 Vellapokkathil – The Deluge, 2007 Desadanam, 1996 Shantham, 2000 Daivanamathil, 2005 Ottal, 2014136. Kamal Perumazhakkalam, 2004 Karutha Pakshikal, 2006; Celluloid, 2012137. K.P. Kumaran, Director Rugmani, 1988138. K.R. Manoj, Director A Pestering Journey, 2011139. Kavitha Lankesh, Director Deeveri, 2000; Preethi, Prema, Pranya, 2004140. M.Manikandan, director Kakka Muttai, 2014141. Madhu Iravankara, writer 1999, best book on cinema142. Malay Bhattacharya, Director Kahini, 1996143. Mani Ratnam Padma Shri, 2002; Mouna Ragam, 1986 Geethanjali, 1989 Anjali, 1990 Roja, 1992 Bombay, 1995 Kannathil Muthamittal144. Nagraj Manjule, director Fandry, 2013145. Nandan Saxena, Director Cotton for my shroud 2011; Candles in the wind, 2013, I cannot give you my Forest, 2014146. Neel Dutt, music Director Ranjana Aami Aar Ashbo, 2011147.Nilanjan Bhattacharya, Producer Under This Sun, 2005; Johar: Welcome to our World148.Nirmal Chander, Director Dreaming Tajmahal, 2012149. Onir, Director I Am, 2012150.Parthapratim Barman, sound designer Bishar Blues, 2008151. Pradip Krishen, Director In Which Annie Gives It Those ones, 1989; Electric Moon, 1992152. Priyanandanan, Producer Pulijanmam, 2006153. Pradipto Bhattacharya, producer Bakita Byaktigoto, 2013154. Rajeev Nath, Director Janani, 1998155. Revathi, Actress, Producer Thevar Magan, 1992; Mitr, My Friend, 2002; Red Building Where the Sun Sets, 2011 156. Rakesh Sharma, Director Final Solution, 2006157. Ranjith, Producer Spirit, 2012 Thirakkatha, 2008 Indian Rupee, 2011158. Ranajit Ray, director Documentation of clay images of Kumartuli159.Rinku R. Thomas, Director Timbaktu, 2012160.Sabarni Das, Costume Designer Jatishwar, 2010161. Salim Ahmed, Producer Adaminte Makan Abu, 2011162. Sabu Cyril, production designer Thenmavin Kombath, 1994; Kaalapani, 1995; Om Shanti Om, 2007; Enthiran, 2010163. Sanjay Kak, Director In the Forest Hangs a Bridge, 1999164. Sarbajit Sen, producer Painting in Time, 1995165. Sathyan Anthikkad Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal, 2001166. Sibi Malayil, Producer Kanakkinavu, 1997; Aakasadoothu, 1994; Doore Doore Koodu Koottam, 1987167. Shajith Koyeri, Sound Designer Omkara, 2006168. Sidhartha Siva, Director 101 Chodyangal, 2013; Ain, 2014169. Somnath Gupta, Director Aami Aadu, 2011170. Sreekar Prasad, Editor Raakh, 1989 Rag Birag, 1997 Nauka Caritramu, 1997 The Terrorist, 1998 Vaanaprastham, 2000 Kannathil Muthamittal, 2002 Kutty Srank; Kaminey Keralavarma Pazhassiraja171. Srijit Mukherjee, Director, Screen play writer Chotushkone, 2014172. Subhodeep Sengupta, sound designer Chitrasutram, 2010173. Suja Kulangara An encounter with a life living, 2004174. Sudipta Chakraborty, Actress Bariwali, 2000175. Sumon Mukhopadhyay, Director Herbert, 2005176. Sunil Shanbag, Producer Maihar Raag, 1994177. Supriyo Sen, Producer Nest, 2000; Way Back Home, 2003; Hope Dies Last in War, 2007178.T.V.Chandran, Producer Ponthan Mada, 1993; Ormakal Undayirikkanam, 1995; Mangamma, 1997; Dany, 2001; Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam, 2003; Aadum Koothu, 2005179. T.K.Rajeevkumar, Producer Jalamarmaram, 2000180. Tarun Bhartiya, Editor In Camera, 2010181. V.K.Joseph, Critic Best Critic, 2007182. Veenu Bhushan Vaid, Director Eka Gacha, Eka Mainsha, Eka Samudra, 201
