Mumbai: Though the students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) have called off their 136-day strike, the situation is far from reaching its closure. Ten eminent filmmakers, including Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardhan, expressing solidarity with the students, returned their National Awards on Wednesday.
The other filmmakers are Paresh Kamdar, Nishtha Jain, Kirti Nakhwa, Harshavardhan Kulkarni, Hari Nair, Rakesh Sharma, Indraneel Lahiri and Lipika Singh Darai. A statement signed by these filmmakers read: The government of India must urgently reveal its commitment to protect the freedom of expression of each citizen.
At a press conference in Mumbai, Mr Banerjee said, “I never thought I would return my award. I can say this, that if FTII’s ethos is protected and strengthened, then not only will I think of taking back my award, but will hand out 10 other awards with joy.”
He made it clear that the decision was not politically motivated. “It is motivated by my conscience. I am returning this to try and raise attention of the people. If someone who liked it, then he might watch this is in the press and say this guy is saying something. Maybe I should listen. But this is what I can do and I am doing it.”
