FTII- THE WORLD IS THE STAGE

FTII-THE WORLD IS A STAGE

Film and Television Institute of India situated in Pune breathes high in this 21st century and has managed to carve its path to create aspiring filmmakers and actors.In the world where people are struggling to get a break through in the movies,I cited a bunch of actors who are learning acting and studying in final year.These students were gearing up for an exhilarating play called Gunahgaar(The Culprit) which embarks the celebration of the ongoing 50th year of the prestigious institute and is suppose to be staged on 20th and 21st of November 2010.

Students seen practicing in studio 5,FTII, for Gunahgaar

GUNAHGAAR-Based on "Zeit Der Schuldosen" by Seigfreid Lenz and translated by Ravi Kiran Shastri.
has been directed by the eminent director Arvind Pandey who has been associated with the Institute since 2004.He really feels proud of his students who are performing in the play.

Studio 5 as everyone calls it had became a factory for these students where they have been practicing and rehearsing the play for the past one month. Acting students were all concocted which denoted a promising play..I could actually see the passion and enthusiasm with every step they have been putting up for this play.Perhaps they were not only rehearsing because it was to be staged for a particular event but they were practicing because it was the part of their course."This is the job of our students,they are practicing to be the eminent actors of tomorrow.",said Arvind Pandey.

FTII has been witnessing many students from all over the country."FTII is another microscopic world in itself and it has been truly amazing experience for all of us ",said Sayani Gupta a final year student who has come from Delhi.She furthur explains the dimensional view of FTII that it  not only provides platform to train students from the actors point of view but also from the angle of a thespian .In a diverse country like India where film industry constitutes of Bollywood to regional cinema the country has lot to offer.Sayani adds, I'll be really glad to if given oportunity to work in regional cinema as well.

Arvind Pandey directing the play

Its really difficult for regional cinema and independent films to survive in a country where Bollywood has sprawled all over.It is really meticulous to see that there is an institute which holds the value for regional cinema and independent Cinema.According to student Gagan Nimesh"We do look forward to Bollywood but at the same time we respect all kinds of cinema.Wherever there will be opportunity to work we will work there.We believe only in the power of Cinema,despite linguistic segmentation."


Gaurav Mehra another aspiring student from Kanpur says that FTII has always been his passion and his dream..A way through which he can define what professionalism is all about.Engrossed in the preparation Gaurav told that there are severals rounds of practice and they have been working around the clock to put this play in the best shoes.The student who will pass out from here will have tons of responsibility on them to exhibit the best talent which cinema is waiting for.

Its really interesting to see that these students who have been slogging day and night for the play understands the core importance of the acting temple.They have dreams in their eyes and it seems the glitz and glamor wont wipe out the inner soul of the institute and the students.Its all about professionalism ,its all about acting and film making.

The passionate energetic play Gunahgaar can be seen on 21st November on Sunday evening at studio 5,Film and Television Institute of India,Pune.Be there to see what defines FTII.

Nikhil Bhushan

OBAMAZATION -THE SOCIAL CONNECT

OBAMAZATION

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE WORLD

Obama came and the social network was bustling with opinions from all the corners.The opinions were flooded on each and every step Obama was taking.

CAMPAIGN THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORK

Pictures of Barack Obama and Michele Obama dancing with the kids were fluttering around the popular social network such as Facebook.Every one was talking about him.Funny videos were also posted on the network such as dressing obama in indian atire.But before I share further views Obama connection particularly with Facebook sets back few years ago.In year 2008 he used the platform to share his concern over United states and ran a campaign on Facebook under his name .He got connected to thousands of people with whom he appealed about change in America and garnered support from them.Those were the pages of year 2008.Even after his win he continued to to be in connection with his million of his followers.

Before he kickstarted his Asia tour he greeted all Indians the best wishes of Diwali .The statement of the President for the visit is available on His facebook page which is regulated and run by grassroad organization.

Barack Obama said -To those celebrating Diwali in India, I look forward to visiting you over the next few days. And to all those who will celebrate this joyous occasion on Friday, I wish you, your families, and loved ones happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.

 Such updates are common among masses but when The president writes 'saal mubarak' a Hindi term for Happy new year he will definitely get the best support from various dimension particularly Indians.
Indians were more than please to read such updates.In India millions of people are connected to Facebook and Twitter .It has become the fashion statement for them and a big source to know about the events around the world.

what are they conversing?-can be a discussion on social network

Every move of President Obama and first lady Michele Obama was available on various pages on Facebook and Twitter.People were hooked to pages and commenting to various incident such as what did Michele bought from the craft bazar or how did Obama felt talking to farmers via video conference The most popular was the dancing with kids which was really completed the frame of the visit.Indians really care for their guest that even what Obama is eating there was discussion page on that also.Where is he going, why is he going what he is going to say next such question and discussions have jammed the pipe of social network.The funny part is everyone wants to comment and share their views.I wont say its about facebook or twitter freaks buts thats the nature of all Indians,a very complex one full of opinions whether u want it or not you will get to hear vibrant advices and views even if its not their business.the whole discussion in no time can become a fussy out here in India.
For instance example on a social network Ayush Garg, a media student, typed, “Welcome to India Obamaji and what a diplomatic speech. Nice. You are a true American”. 

They were reacting as if this visit is kind of a revolution.lot of expectation were sprawling among the masses.I agree that the president was at his best when he delivered the speech at The Parliament intact this was his best foreign visit so far during his Presidency but that doesn't qualify this visit to be the revolution phenomenon.Its not only that positive wave flourish through web page, there are communities page where Obama faces hard criticism as well.

It was impossible for a single Indian to be unaware of Obama visit because of extended spectrum of news media and digital media.but on other hand Facebook in United states was a calm affair.Many Americans hardly care to discuss such forums on social network.Many ignored the visit.The image of India out in US is different one and people do not realize the significance of such visit as India do.This shows how social network is divided among the masses.People over there give less often views than Indians on such issues.According to India This was the most significant visit of any US President.But Americans didn't view this as important. In fact many called it as a holiday trip or a massive disaster.Perhaps both countries have different viewpoint towards this issue.
This is not only confined to Obama but the Facebook traffic for Obama visit were really high which created him as the favorite topic for discussion among Indians a lot.

Even as I am writing this blog may be I am also gripped in this so called Obamazation.

Regards,
Nikhil

OBAMAZATION-YES WE CAN

OBAMAZATION CONTINUES....YES WE CAN

Barack Obama

"In the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member"

Obama said in a speech to India's parliament on his first official visit to the world's largest democracy.

Yes we can was the mantra for Indians when US president Barack Obama surpised everyone by backing India for permanent seat for United Nation Security Council.Its a long way to go for india despite the support shown by US.Bar of hope has raised though India has to face resistance from several blocs of the world.China wont come openly to restrict this step but may instigate other countries to vote against India.

I think the long awaited demand has been heard by US but I am not sure India's credibility on wider spectrum.And that has become the concern for other nation to protest against her.She is an important player in maintaining the world order but India has been viewed as a feeble player in international issues.For example India should actively involve herself in pressurizing the Democracy in Myanmar and this issue was taken out of box by Obama himself when he was addressing in Parliament.

Though he got round of applause from all the corners but there wont be any re organization in United nation seats for another 8 to 10 years.Obama when got elected said change can happen in year 2008.Now he is in India and showed us the path that yes this is possible.YES WE CAN get seat at United nation security council but the journey will be long and full of hurdles.

Obama addressing in Parliament

If we get the permanent seat at United Nation India could control several issues such as of Pakistan Relations and Srilanka issues,which according to me has failed through bilateral ties.After US support to India it will be really interesting to see the relation between Pakistan and China;how they will surface further.The biggest advantage india shoul take now is to expand its naval power.Some kind of strategic circles has to be made in Indian ocean rim where China is making its presence felt through Gwadar in Pakistan and Hambantota in srilanka.


India should show interest in African nations also.For African nation India can develop its ties more in the field of medicines ,Trade including continuing diamond trade.India has to send strong signals to the world by participating in most of the global issues.The Afghanistan relation with India is a positive sign of Asian development.India has invested tremendous 1.3 billion dollars in Afghanistan.India need to focus on other countries as well such as with mercosur countries.India also have to adhere to her standing on climate change.Apart from that Space Programmes and education should be enhanced.These step definitely will make her credibility more concrete than before.

Poster of Barack Obama In Mumbai

 India has only one weapon now to grip its position and that is the weapon is of economy.
Even though Obama has urged India to expand its market and open it for US,India I believe should to do the same with rest of the nation especially with European Nations .Nobody has seen India as a super power but one thing is for sure Economy is the only medium which has made India's voice more powerful.Obama has given another option for India to spread her wings and bring change in the economy.Even during Doha agreement the economy was the platter and I think time has come to bring Doha agreement to effect which will be enforced only through careful reformation. Its the fortunate country which have not been affected by recession it has huge domestic market and america and other countries are eying on it for their survival.India has to bring reforms in its economic policies and if things work out the country will garner support from every side.Obama has open two boxes.One the economic expansion  where he says it is win win situation for both countries and another UN seat backing which Indians have been dreaming for a long time.

Truly Obamazation gripped whole India and the world.


Regards
Nikhil

OBAMAZATION

OBAMAZATION

Last weekend most of Indians and Americans transfixed their eyes as United State President Barack Hussein Obama came on a four day visit tour to India.It seemed that the wave of Obama was splashing across India.People were enveloped  in the phenomena which I may coin it as OBAMZATION.

Obamas-Dancing with the children to famous Maharahtra song

From the short runway which is rarely used by planes at Mumbai airport, Air force one landed on it and made it clear that the four day trip of Obamas will be one of its kind.

Mumbai was turned into a fortress with multi tier security across the city.The whole security came under the canopy of public debate when the reports in Indian media unveiled that the trip cost $200 million a day,which I believe was totally fallacious.It was rumor for sure in Indian media which spread like a wildfire.
Already people have been skeptical about this trip for a very long time.First and foremost his decision of coming during Diwali took everyone by surprise.and secondly when such rumored sprawled, people strongly believed for strange reasons.This added a negative layer to the trip.Even after his arrival there was a lot of buzz in media and also among masses about what can be expected from this trip.

Barack Obama accompanied by Michele Obama visited 26/11 site as well.They choosed to stay at Taj Mahal hotel one of the prominent place which was under heavy attack in year 2008 but irony stuck once again when Obama was distancing himself from mentioning the name of Pakistan as a terrorist weeding state.
Obama later urged India to open markets for US which according to him would creat job for 50000 americans.I don't know about others but for me this is the weirdest thing ever I have heard so far.I didn't know whether to believe this man who have been negative about India previously for outsourcing .

Obama addressing using teleprompter.

One of interesting point I could cite in this trip was his public speech.Obama was seen addressing the public using teleprompters, rarely used in India, which eventually amused everyone in India.India is a land of great orators and Public speakers ,they have never used such method of addressing masses .People in India were actually questioning the style and the way obama executed his public speech,they have always seen Obama as an eloquent speaker but now the viewpoint has changed for sure.

But on other hand the visit was an eye pleasing one when the President and the First Lady danced with the children to the tunes of Maharashtran music.The conversation between farmers in Rajasthan and Obama in Delhi through video conference became one of the highlight of the trip.
Even the gifts given to labors children by the couple at Humayun Tomb touched many hearts.Those memories will always perpetuate in minds of both countries.Obama won hearts of everyone when he named Gandhi and Tagore in his speech.Even Obamazation continued when he said "Bahut Dhaniyvaad"(thank you very much),these words floored all the leaders present in the assembly.

But the fact is Obama has also lost the credibility and popularity over past year.Even after he left India,the nation is still figuring out the concrete conclusion of this trip.Though his support for India's place at UN Security Council is applaudable,but it is a long jouney for india to achieve it.

Dhanayvaad,

Regards,

Nikhil