Statement of Purpose- FTII FAC May 2018

 Growing up in the pre-television era, cinema was the only audio-visual entertainment available. But then, watching a film was in the theatre was a privilege to be earned by acing the academics-‘get first rank and be rewarded with movie tickets’, was the family rule. Thus, though I did not realize it then, movies steered me towards academic excellence.

Cinema to me meant not just entertainment but education and awareness as well. It was my window to the world of literature, aesthetics and performing arts. Fascinated by my mother’s recounting of scenes from the movie Pride and Prejudice and Gone with the Wind, I would binge-read the novels. That marked the beginning of my voracious reading habit leading to a degree in literature. I developed an ear for music too, thanks to Binaca Geetmala on Vividh Bharati. Encouraged by a family that allowed me to watch ‘good’ films and discuss them at the dinner table, anecdotes of our movie experiences are part of the family lore. A family that sees movies together, stays together for sure!

Why study film appreciation at all? Why study something that I enjoy anyway? Well, it’s an organic growth process to want to understand the creative energy and passion that goes into the making of the final product. Maybe that’s the reason I attend events like Padharpan at FTII and talk sessions with technicians, music directors and movie makers with fervour. There is so much one can learn about the art and craft of the silver screen. I perceive cinema to be the only inter-disciplinary and consummate form of entertainment available to the common man and the most affordable irrespective of one’s personal, social or political identity. Enchanted by its universal appeal, I have always wondered- why and how are certain shots/frames conceived in a particular way? How can one even conceive of themes like Inception, Jurassic Park or Avatar- leave alone transform it onto the silver screen? What’s the need for the song sequence- to break the monotony or to shift the focus? Why do our desi film makers see movies as two halves with an interval in between and not as a whole? And many such questions. I have noticed with interest how films of the 50s and 60s appealed to certain angst and concerns of the common man, the rise of the experimental art/parallel cinema in the 70s and 80s and the romance- driven 90s. Today, with the advent of technology like 3D, 4D, VFX and VR, the magic of cinema is breaking new grounds. Platforms like the internet, NETFLIX and Amazon Prime impact the content, style and grammar of film-making. Whatever be the format or genre, films are here to stay as a favoured channel of creative entertainment. My strongest desire to not just to have a clinical understanding of films but also to sharpen and nurture the cinephile in me. A course on film appreciation will certainly enlighten me on the development of this art form and its journey to the modern times through lectures, film viewings, discussions and interactions with stalwarts from the industry. I’m sure to discover subtle charms and nuances in films that I had not even noticed before and to appreciate how technology aids the creative flights of fancy in modern day masterpieces. And which better institution from, than FTII to learn it all? The Institute is a formidable brand as a school of cinema, given the pantheon of its illustrious alumni who never fail to credit their alma mater for nurturing and honing their talent. It’s a legitimate desire to walk the corridors that they inhabited and be enlightened by its curriculum.

 I have been a regular delegate at the Pune International Film Festival for several years now and have enjoyed watching regional and international films. What I enjoy, I value and wish to share the joy wherever and whenever possible. As a soft skills trainer and English Language Instructor, I have incorporated snippets from movies to embellish my training sessions on interpersonal skills, office etiquette, gender sensitivity, body language, ethics, confidence and team building, language proficiency and the like. Going beyond an enduring interest, my love for cinema has proved to be a support. I maintain a bilingual blog with musings on movies among other things. I also host quizzes on movie trivia in social gatherings. Efforts are on o launch a YouTube channel exclusively on movie reviews as an amateur critic (if I may dare call myself so). There’s also the possibility of having discussions around movies with the participants of my training workshops by helping them understand and analyse their own perceptions and personalities through their reaction to the movies. There is so much to look backward to with pride and so much to look forward to with hope. The anticipation of embarking on the Film Appreciation Course is exciting because picture abhi bhi bakki hai, dost!

I have been a regular delegate at the Pune International Film Festival for several years now and have enjoyed watching regional and international films. What I enjoy, I value and wish to share the joy wherever and whenever possible. As a soft skills trainer and English Language Instructor, I have incorporated snippets from movies to embellish my training sessions on interpersonal skills, office etiquette, gender sensitivity, body language, ethics, confidence and team building, language proficiency and the like. Going beyond an enduring interest, my love for cinema has proved to be a support. I maintain a bilingual blog with musings on movies among other things. I also host quizzes on movie trivia in social gatherings. Efforts are on o launch a YouTube channel exclusively on movie reviews as an amateur critic (if I may dare call myself so). There’s also the possibility of having discussions around movies with the participants of my training workshops by helping them understand and analyse their own perceptions and personalities through their reaction to the movies. There is so much to look backward to with pride and so much to look forward to with hope. The anticipation of embarking on the Film Appreciation Course is exciting because picture abhi bhi bakki hai, dost!