Author: admin

Addressing the large gathering at Asian Academy of Film & Television, the former union minister of information and broadcasting Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the long awaited decision to grant ‘industry status’ to film making taken during his tenure, was a step towards lending respectability to professionals engaged in this work. He hoped that this step had been helpful in freeing the film professionals from the clutches of the dreaded underworld as well as in encouraging production of responsive and responsible films. The distinguished guest reminded the students that proliferation of satellite television channels offer unlimited opportunity to film and television professionals to unfold their full potentials for self-expression. He promised all possible help and support to AAFT alumni in their work. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also complimented the management and the faculty of AAFT for doing excellent work in the field of media education and training without any financial support from the government. Earlier welcoming the distinguished guests on the occasion of ongoing celebration of seven years of the functioning of the AAFT the director Prof. Sandeep Marwah requested the honourable former minister to continue to patronise the institute. Veteran journalist Ratnottama Sengupta who was also present on this occasion likened the mass media to ‘horse’ and opined that it always needs to be ‘reined in’. She said that the film industry all over the world will immensely benefit from the large number of talented and creative people amongst the billion strong Indians. She said that Shekhar Kapoor and Shyamalan should inspire Indian film professionals to make meaningful contribution to the world-cinema.

WE HAVE TO LIVE HERE, DIE HERE AND THERE IS NO WORLD OUTSIDE THIS – SUCH SHOULD BE THE PASSION FOR FILMMAKING
art critic and film journalist B. B. Nagpal & Sandeep marwahMaking an intensely emotional presentation the well-known art critic and film journalist B. B. Nagpal, appealed to the students of Asian Academy of Film & Television to revitalise the Indian film industry. Reeling off statistics, he said nearly six lakhs people are engaged – directly or indirectly – in the film industry in which more than 30,000 crores rupees have been invested. He said that number of films produced in the country is steadily declining after peaking to 912 in 1985. He lamented that only 764 films in 19 languages were produced in 1999. The students visibly pleased to learn from the speaker that Indian cinema is in the Guinness Book of World Records for a number reasons including highest annual production of films; highest number of silver jubilees in a row by a single film maker (Dada Kondke) in the same language and genre and; highest number of songs sung be any single singer (Lata Mangeshkar) etc. He proudly recalled that India had given to the world master craftsman of cinema Satyajit Ray and master showman Raj Kapoor who endeared cinema lovers all over the world. He said that the Indian film industry has been adversely affected due to rampant video piracy and illogical entertainment taxation which varies from 40% to 150% of the cost of the ticket. B. B. Nagpal concluded his presentation by remarking that in terms of money filmmaking is often a losing proposition and it is the passion for film making which keeps this industry going. Earlier welcoming the distinguished guests at the function organised as a part of ongoing celebration of seven years of the functioning of AAFT, Prof. Sandeep Marwah said that the institute aims at helping the students through systematic training to unfold their full potentials for self expression. Speaking on this occasion the renowned legal luminary Wasi Ahmad Nomani asked the students to use this powerful medium of mass communication with utmost care and to bear in mind that power corrupts and the absolute power corrupts absolutely. He said that keys to success are setting a clear-cut goal in life; sincere and hard work for achieving the goal and; a strong will to succeed. Reminding the students that public money is being spent to train them, he said that it is their duty to use their training for the good of the public. Wasi Ahmad Nomani ended his address with the fervent hope that AAFT alumni would always prove to be nothing but the very best professionals in their field of work.

Addressing the students of Asian Academy of Film & Television during a brief interval in the shooting engagement at Marwah Studios, film city, the rising star of Indian films Fardeen Khan, said that an actor is great because of his individuality and talent. He further added that the actor has to combine his talent with the techniques of commanding the voice and speech, using the body language and how to think about bringing these things together. He said that good performance is indeed the result of hardwork for acquiring and developing acting skills through systematic training and that almost all modern day actors are trained. Students were mesmerised and greatly impressed by his charming personality and they gave him a big hand when replaying to the question as to what he values most in life, Fardeen Khan remarked “Love”.

Bollywood actress Tabu was sometime back invited by Sandeep Marwah, Director, Asian Academy of Films & Television, to have a look at the training course being conducted by this institute. The beautiful actress took special interest in the training of actors and made valuable suggestions in this regard. She was pleased to learn that due emphasis is being laid on the development of skills in voice, speech and language during the training of the actors. She was greatly impressed by the training facilities available at the
Sandeep Marwah & Tabu
institute and hoped that it will continue to attract overseas students in ever increasing number. The talented actress told Sandeep Marwah that she is always willing to accept any acting role-be it big or small and take it seriously. Tabu promised to continue to extend her patronage to Asian Academy of Film & Television.

The renowned film producer and director Ram Gopal Verma who is known for his successful Hindi movies”Rangeela” and “Jungle” was recently invited by Prof. Sandeep Marwah to visit Asian Academy of Film & Television. Speaking to the students of the academy on this occasion, the techniques should be harnessed for generating images and sound through which the filmmaker intends to touch the heart and move the soul of the viewers. But the tools and the techniques must not affect the artistic expression of the creative mind. He advised the would be filmmakers to keep experimenting with the style of story telling with images and sound as this is the only way to sustain film making.

The Renowned actor Faroukh Sheikh who is playing the lead role in NDTV’s Hindi Version of BBC’s popular serial “Yes Minister” was in Marwah Studios, Noida, for the recordings. The talented actor agreed to find time form his busy recording schedule to answer the questions from the students of Asian Academy of Film & Television located within Marwah Studios Complex. Farukh Sheikh told the students that at the core of acting talent is the ability to see and understand people from their point of view.
Faroukh Sheikh
He stated that actor has to enter into another’s personality and imaginatively recreate his feelings, wants and experiences in order to bring that character to life. He further added that acting talent can be expressed only acquiring technique and learning the acting skills. Faroukh Sheikh strongly advocated systematic training for learning the art of acting.

National Capital Delhi’s Society – All India Achiever’s Conference has selected Prof. Sandeep Marwah, Director, Asian Academy of Film & Television for Rashtriya Siromani Award – 2000 for outstanding achievement in the field of media education and training. Other eminent men and women who have also been selected for this prestigious award
Sandeep Marwah & Deputy Chief Minister of Maharastra Gopi Nath Munde, former Supercop KPS Gill, fashion designer Ritu Beri and Gazal Singer Peenaz Masani
include Deputy Chief Minister of Maharastra Gopi Nath Munde, former Supercop KPS Gill, fashion designer Ritu Beri and Gazal Singer Peenaz Masani. As is well known Rashtriya Shiromani Awards are presented to eminent men and women for their great and significant achievement in their respect fields and for emerging as role model worthy of emulation by others. These awards were presented on the last 24th August when a national seminar on Challenges in the new Millennium – The Achievers Perspective, was also organised.

Renowned Austrian film maker Ferry Radax recently participated in one day workshop at Asian Academy of Film & Television. Ferry Radax is famous for his high grade documnetary and experimental films. He has served as a Jury in a number of international film festivals. Answoring questions put by the students during the screening of his films, he very ably explained the grammar of films.Latter talking to the Director of the institute prof. Sandeep Marwah, he expressed his satisfaction over the active participation of the Indian and foregin students in the workshop.
Sandeep Marwah & Renowned Austrian film maker Ferry Radax
He requested Prof. Sandeep Marwah to encourage and support the talented students in their work. Indian documentary film making in indeed the first step in this powerful medium of mass communication. He urged the students to join him in the work of documnetary film making. Saraswati Rao told the students that beside possessing the talent and knowing the techniques, the film maker has to have passion for entertainment and informing the masses. She underlined need of systematic training before embarking on the work of making films.Ferry Radax accepted the membership of the Advisory Council of Asian Academy of Film & Television.