The homecoming

FOR firebrand director Aruna Raje, the FTII is home. A place which tapped, nurtured, and helped her to be the film maker she is today.
Notwithstanding, she is in her element when she is at the FTII. At 57, she is full of beans with a bagful of assignments which include being the vice president of Wisdom Tree festival, the vice chairperson governing council of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and the past president of Indian documentary Producers Association (IDPA).
A graduate of the class of 1969, Raje came to FTII to learn direction but later shifted to editing.
“I was a medical student at the Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and after completing the first year, I decided to shift to films. Infact looking back, I really consider myself privileged to be part of this institute. I am what I am, because of the institute,� she gushes with pride.
Reflecting on the formative years of this festival, she says, “The last few years has been bad for the FTII and we have been trying to put an end to these rumours implying its closure. This place is one for self expression and we simply can’t think of it going down. The festival was the best option to bring the alumnus and the current students together.�
Raje has a reputation of being a director who rules with an iron hand. Starting of in the late 70s in partnership with her then husband, Vikas Desai, she made critically acclaimed films like Shaque and Gehrayee. Post the films things did get tough, but this did not deter her commitment to the kind of cinema she believed in.
According to her, “The definition of entertainment is certainly changing. Today as the industry has begun to realise that films do not have to be mindless to be entertaining, there is a change.� Which brings us to her latest film Tum, starring Manisha Koirala, Aman Verma, Rajat Kapoor and Karan Nath.
“It’s not like I have not been in the current trend of generating entertainment movies. But I am a bit slow working on features, and my documentaries have kept me busy,� she speaks out.
Bringing us to her most recent documentary on danseuse Mallika Sarabhai which won her the National Award.
A strong believer in documentaries, she adds, “The documentary scenario is very active. What the IDPA really needs is young people who would make a difference.
Being united is the only way to help regain strength and make it self relevant.�
prachi.bari@timesgroup.com