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Popular superstar Anil Kapoor was recently at Asian Academy of Film & Television, Noida, to meet the students of its memorable silver batch on the conclusion of their training. Addressing the students Anil Kapoor said that films are a complex and costly art-form and the film makers including the actors have to understand the heart and the mind of the people in order to make responsive and responsible movies. Striking a note of caution, the superstar added that over the years the level of awareness of an average Indian film goer has gone up and he can’t be taken for granted. He said that filmic appeal is universal. But, it is a pity that the addition of sound track to the movie has resulted in the fragmentation of the audience on the linguistic basis. Briefing the superstar, about the courseware and the training methodology, Prof. Sandeep Marwah, Director informed him that the academy attracts students from developing as well as well as developed countries. A workshop on acting was recently organised for the British nationals. Anil Kapoor endorsed the integrated approach to training and remarked that AAFT has indeed become the best film & television school in the country. Prof. Sandeep Marwah took this opportunity to acknowledge the sincerity and devotion of large number of film & television professionals who have been helping him in providing education and training to the aspirants of a career in this industry. The superstar disclosed to the students, who were swept off their feet by his charm, grace, warmth and sincerity that his latest film ‘Pukar’ is due for release in February 2000.

The noted film producer-director-lyricist Sawan Kumar Tak decried the current trend of exploiting the female anatomy in filmmaking. Sawan Kumar Tak has been making box office hits on woman oriented subjects was frank enough to state that love stories are evergreen subject for the films. He was of the view that many facetted character of woman provides unlimited themes for films. Explaining to the students of AAFT that the awareness level of the present day viewers is very high and they can not be taken for granted by the filmmakers. He said that the piracy of films by the cable television operators is a matter of greater worry than the dubbling of Hollywod films to the film producers. He was of the view thatdiverse taste of the vast Indian population compels the filmmaker to add various elements including song and dance sequences which makes the film lengthy. In reply to the question of the AAFT’s students he commenting on the MTV music anddance programme producers are one overusing the film cutting techniques and that such productions should not be compared with the picturisation of songs in the Indian films. Sawan Kumar Tak advocated narrow specialisation in the field of film making and felt that the actors taking to film direction tend to men up the production. He admitted that technology has affected the films. Sawan Kumar who has been into films for over thirty years and has made dozens of popular films, is credited with giving the break to stars like Sanjeev Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Neetu Singh and Padmini Kolhapure etc. Addressing the students of silver jubilee batch of Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT), he mentioned that systematic education and training for filmmaking and television programming is a must. He was greatly impressed by the training facility at the academy and remarked that this academy is even a shade better than Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. Sawan Kumar Tak also agreed to be the member of the governing council of Asian Academy of Film & Television.

The Governor of Kerala hon’ble Shri R.L. Bhatia said that information technology and globalization are indeed influencing the Indian society. He was addressing the students of Asian School of Media Studies and Asian Academy of Film & TV. Taking note of the outstanding contribution made these two institutions in the field of media education and training, he said that the credit for all round development of the country goes to our scientists, engineers as well as public spirited persons like Sandeep Marwah. India is now attracting the attention of even developed nations of world because of the greatness of its people, he added. The governor of Kerala.

Shri R.L. Bhatia accepted the life memberships of International Film & Television Research Centre and International Film & Television Club on this occasion.

Making a fervent appeal to all those connected with mass media to try and remould the society through their work, the former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia Syed Shahid Mahdi said that mass media appears to be becoming a victim of sensationalism. The distinguished civil servant and educationist was delivering valedictory to the students of Asian Academy of Film & Television. Technology is merely a tool in the hands of a creative person who must develop a humanitarian out look and address issues concerning the disadvantaged members of the society too, he added. Commending the notable work being done by Sandeep Marwah in the field of media education and training, the noted social activist Rear admiral H.C. Malhotra stated that practical experience in the field truly strengthens an educated and trained professional. Sharing his thoughts with the would be media professionals, the veteran television producer Sudhir Tandon pointed out to the export potential of documentaries. Veteran bureaucrat and intellectual P C Rawal also addressed the gathering on this occasion

In keeping with its tradition of providing pioneering initiatives in the field of education in media arts, the University of Media Arts has decided to launch PhD courses in various specialized streams of media arts soon.Interested candidates can write to the course director with expressions of their interest and a brief background of their academic, professional qualifications, areas of expertise and future interests for fixing personal meeting with Prof. Sandeep Marwah, the Vice Chancellor of the University. The courses are scheduled to commence from July 2005.

The former Governor and Union Minister Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh said that India is known for its competent information technologists and spiritualism. He was addressing the students of Asian Academy of Film & TV. Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh advised the would be journalists and filmmakers to think positively while doing their work. Expressing his concern about young people often becoming intolerant, he pointed out that tolerance is indeed the cornerstone of our culture. Describing media as the fourth pillar of the democracy, the convener of India Media Congress Neeraj Rathod urged the students to try and preserve democracy in India through their work. Complementing Sandeep Marwah for his notable contribution to media education and training worldwide, he told the would be media professional that in the field of journalism it pays to keep the eyes and ears open and the mouth shut. Addressing the students on this occasion the former MP Subash Chandra Nayak advised the media professionals in the making to be above all a good human being.

The Superstar of Indian films Rajesh Khanna said that after acting in nearly 190 feature films, he realized that performing arts is indeed a fathomless ocean. Addressing the students, he recalled his varied experience of 40 years in the Indian cinema. The talented actor and a heart throb of millions, Rajesh Khanna mentioned that performing arts call for hard work sacrifices and self discipline. Congratulating the Academy for its notable contribution to the film and television industries, Rajesh Khanna said that systematic education and training will be helpful to the aspirants of a career in these industries. It would be prudent to learn the entire gamut of the film art and craft at the school irrespective of the chosen field of specialization, he added.

The well known film director Satish Kaushik said that watching the works of great filmmakers like Eisenstein, Fellini and Satyajit Ray Goddard had been a valuable hearing experience for him. He was addressing the students of University of Media Arts’ study centre Asian Academy of Film & Television and Asian School of Media Studies after formally declaring open Sewaram Marwah Memorial Films & Books Library of the University in the national capital region. Stating that he although he loves directing films, acting is his passion. Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor starrer feature film Milenge-Milenge currently being directed by him is nearing completion, he disclosed. Speaking on this occasion, the founder director of Pune’s National Film Archive of India P.K. Nair said that setting up of the University of Media Arts by Prof. Sandeep Marwah indeed reflects the growing importance of creative industries worldwide. It is important to understand cinema prior to embarking upon making of a film, he added. Documentary filmmaker of Kolkata Subha Das Mollick also graced the occasion.