Soni asks FTII to produce films promoting national integration

Pune, Mar 21 :Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni has called upon the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students to produce films with social values to spread the message of national integration.

Addressing the inaugural function of the golden jubilee year celebration of the FTII, Soni assured all help for development of the institution.

In here address Soni stressed the need for combined efforts from the students, faculty and government to reach out at the global scenario.

Addressing the function renowned film personality Dev Anand recalled his long association with the FTII.

"I joined movies in 1945 and I opened my company in 1949 ... I still feel I have seen a lot of things happening in this country. I have seen lot of things happen all over the world still happening, dramatic, overdramatic, melodramatic and I think this is the best profession in the world," Dev Anand said.

Professionals from various spheres of the tinsel world and Bollywood stars added glamour to the celebrations.

Established in 1960, the institute is an autonomous body functioning under the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Students from the first batch, teachers and some old staff of FTII and Prabhat Studio have been felicitated on this occasion.

Leading veteran actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Jaya Bachchan, Raza Murad, Shatrughan Sinha, Mithun Chakraborty and Tom Alter are among the noted alumni of the institute.

From the allied professions related to flim making, Subhash Ghai, Adoor Gopal Krishna, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Raj Kumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Oscar winning sound recordist Resul Pookutty are the past students of FTTI.