Centre set to roll out initiatives to strengthen FTII, NFAI: I&B Ministry

Mumbai: The Centre is set to roll out a series of initiatives to strengthen the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and National Film Archives of India (NFAI), both located in Pune.

“FTII and NFAI are two such institutes that are playing a very critical role in shaping the cinema and entertainment ecosystem in the country. While FTII shapes the talent, NFAI ensures that their work remains preserved under best conditions,” said Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, after visiting the two institutions.

“A lot of initiatives are in the pipeline to further strengthen these institutions as the Ministry is committed to support and nurture them in all possible ways,” Jaju said.

During the course of the visit, Jaju held interactions with Dhiraj Singh, Vice Chancellor, FTII and Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation Ltd (NFDC).

This was the first visit of the Secretary after FTII was conferred ‘Deemed to be University’ status under the ‘Distinct Category.’

Jaju undertook a guided tour of the FTII campus, during which he interacted with faculty and students. In conversations with students across disciplines, he responded to questions with candour and insight, sharing his views on the dynamic shifts in the media and entertainment sector and the critical role of institutions like FTII in shaping its future.

He emphasized the importance of cinematic and media education in contributing to India’s cultural and creative economy, and encouraged students to embrace both innovation and discipline in their academic journeys.

The interaction reflected FTII’s active academic environment, where students are placed at the core of institutional progress and policy dialogue.

Following his visit to FTII, Jaju also visited the digitisation, restoration and archiving facility of NFAI in great detail. He was briefed about the procedural, technical and other aspects of the whole process.

Jaju reviewed ongoing initiatives under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), one of the largest and most ambitious film preservation projects undertaken globally. He toured both Phase I and Phase II of the campus, with the latter housing cutting-edge preservation and restoration infrastructure developed under NFHM.

The Secretary observed the repair and chemical treatment of deteriorating film reels, high-resolution scanning, and restoration work on classic Indian films—highlighting the blend of advanced technology and archival expertise in action.

He also visited the theatre and projection room used for curated public screenings, and the archival library, where he viewed rare film posters, magazines, and glass slides from the pre-cinema era. He appreciated the ongoing digitisation of supporting material such as scripts, lobby cards, photographs, and magazines—contributing to a holistic and accessible documentation of India’s film history.