B P Singh, the newly appointed FTII chairman, says that training students and teachers in better ways will be his immediate focus
Mayuri Phadnis (BOMBAY TIMES; December 15, 2018)

Popular as the producer-director of CID, one of the longest running Indian TV shows, Brijendra Pal Singh aka B P Singh on Thursday took charge as the chairman of the Film and Television Institute (FTII). Singh took over the reins from Anupam Kher, who quit in October citing international work commitments.

An alumnus of the institute from 1970-73, Singh was the vice-chairman of the general council and chairman of the academic council prior to his new appointment, which was sealed by a call from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday evening.

In keeping with the expectations this position has from him, Singh says he will give his best shot and work along with the authorities, students and staff to find solutions. He says whatever has been promised to the students, they will get. Talking about the recent protest by the students over the lack of facilities affecting completion of their syllabus, Singh says, “It is true that work on the studio, which was to be completed by 2018, has not finished yet. I am not a magician to complete it instantaneously, but I will see to it that whatever is promised to the students will be delivered. As the chairman, I will personally look into expediting the process.”

According to Singh, the most pressing issue currently is the feedback of the credit-based syllabus. “It’s been three years since the credit-based system has been introduced. Now, the most important point on my agenda for the meeting December 18 will be discussions with the students and teachers about the feedback of this system,” he says. Singh further adds that a committee of educationists will also be appointed in the coming months to work on upgrading this system.

The chairman cites that times have changed and some more changes are on the anvil. “With more exposure to cinema and with the social media boom, students know what they want and demand it. However, back in our times, we made the most of what we were taught. Times have truly changed,” he says, adding, “When I passed out of the institute, I had to learn script writing separately. Script is the foundation of a good product and we will ensure students are taught that. The focus will also be on honing skills among the students.”


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BP Singh, producer of the long-running TV series CID, is ready to take charge of the film institute
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 15, 2018)

What was your first reaction to the offer?
I have to admit that the news that I had been selected as the new chairman of the institute came as a surprise. I had started getting calls so I checked with the FTII. There were reports of Gulshan Grover being offered the post so I wasn’t sure but within a short span, I got a call with the offer. There was no reason to refuse.

What is the plan of action now?
We are having an academic council meeting on December 18th where we will discuss issues concerning the FTII. Around 15 days ago I had a meeting with students and fortunately that issue was resolved. We will now review the new syllabus that was introduced three years ago. We will be speaking to students who have completed the course with the new syllabus and plan to set up a committee of educationalists who will check to see if there are any faults in it or if it needs updating.

Will the job mean regular visits to the institute?
It does not require regular visits, but I will have to attend all academic council meetings and governing council meetings that take place every three months. The society meets once a year.

Will you continue the legacy of earlier chairmen like Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad, Vinod Khanna, R K Laxman, Anupam Kher…
I’m not in the league as I have yet to achieve all that they have but I will do my best. I have been a part of the academic council committee in the past and right now, the first priority is the syllabus and to provide as many facilities to students as possible. We have many other plans too but cannot boast about them now.

Any provision for film internships?
We have internship facilities for our writing courses and I will look into that for other courses as well. Earlier when I was the chairman of the academic council, I had proposed a corpus fund for ex-students because once they pass out, it is difficult for them to get finance for their documentaries and films. It becomes a huge task even if one has good ideas. I had started by putting in Rs 1 lakh and a request corporate houses to produce these films. I will try and implement the idea again in the next six-seven months.

What sets the FTII apart from other film schools?
If you want to be a filmmaker, you have to train at the FTII. When I was a student there in 1973, I have seen films which are today available on mobile phones. Earlier they were only available at the institute. People there discuss films day and night, it gets into your blood and makes you a filmmaker and sets you apart from the rest.

Will you rope in you CID actors as visiting faculty?
I can always request them and they won’t say “no”. We will ask other actors as well.

Is the show making a comeback?
There are plans to bring back CID but we will have to wait till they materialise. Even we want the show to return, it was our bread and butter.