Pune: FTII to Launch State-Level Entry for Maharashtra’s Rural Youth, Broadening Access to Film Education

Pune, 23rd July 2025: In a landmark step aimed at expanding film education to underserved regions, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) will now offer state-level admissions for students from rural and semi-urban Maharashtra. The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Pune on Monday between FTII and the Maharashtra Department of Cultural Affairs.

The agreement was formalized in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who emphasized that this partnership would help rural students visualize a future in the world of cinema and media.

Film Education Reaches the Grassroots:
CM Fadnavis highlighted that until now, FTII’s admissions were restricted to a national-level selection process, which often limited the chances for students from rural backgrounds. With the MoU in place, aspiring filmmakers from interior regions of the state can now access training, skill-building, and certifications through regional FTII centres located in Karjat, Goregaon, Kolhapur, and Prabhadevi.

“This initiative will not only generate employment but also promote Maharashtra’s picturesque locales through cinema,” said Fadnavis.

Calling the collaboration a major boost to the creative economy, the Chief Minister described FTII as a symbol of artistic excellence, and Maharashtra’s Film City as the commercial nerve centre of the industry. Their convergence, he noted, will lead to the emergence of a dynamic institution rooted in both creativity and commerce.

He stressed the need for formal education in the creative field, especially for young talent who lack certification despite their abilities. “The creative economy is the future,” he said.

Certified Training to Uplift Rural Talent:
The MoU outlines joint training and certification programs that will be run by FTII and the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation. These will help nurture talent from rural areas and enable their integration into the mainstream media and entertainment sector.

FTII Chairperson and renowned actor R. Madhavan welcomed the initiative, stating that extraordinary content creators are emerging from lesser-known regions — from women making cooking videos in small towns to influencers from city chawls.

Madhavan added, “While Western cinema has introduced superheroes like Batman and Superman, it’s time global audiences discovered the epics of Hanuman and Krishna. Our mythology and stories have the power to become India’s soft and cinematic power.”