A Feather in the Crown – Jharkhand Film and Television Institute
By Rajesh Jais
For over two decades, India’s ever-growing demand for trained media professionals has underscored the urgent need for structured education in this field. Media training today spans multiple fronts — from film, web series, and television serials to content creation, audio-visual presentations, classroom projects, news, art and culture, corporate films, advertisements, and media campaigns. Beyond entertainment, it carries the profound responsibility of documenting and transmitting our social, cultural, and traditional values to future generations.
The Central Government has already established institutions of repute such as the National School of Drama in Delhi and the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. States like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have their own centers — the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata and the Government Film and Television Institute in Chennai. Private institutions such as Whistling Woods (Mumbai) and AAFT (Noida) have also contributed significantly to bridging the demand-supply gap.
Against this backdrop, the signing of an MoU on 22nd July at Project Bhawan, Ranchi, between the Jharkhand Film Development Corporation (JFDC) and SRFTI Kolkata, in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, marks a historic milestone: the establishment of the Jharkhand Film and Television Institute (JFTI).
This initiative is long overdue. For years, Jharkhand’s talented youth have migrated elsewhere to pursue careers in media and filmmaking. JFTI will now offer short-term courses in scripting, direction, acting, editing, screenplay, sound, photography, and production — with training imparted by industry professionals using updated technology. It promises not only skill development but also holistic growth and vision.
Equally important, JFTI will serve as a cultural anchor. A film school is vital for nurturing critical thinking and artistic expression, especially in the context of Jharkhand’s tribal traditions, customs, and oral storytelling heritage. In today’s rapidly changing socio-cultural environment, Gen Z must grow without losing touch with their identity. Cinema, with its universal language, offers the most impactful medium to preserve and showcase Jharkhand’s age-old, self-sustaining, and environmentally conscious society.
Over the past 15 years, Jharkhand has already emerged as a favored destination for filmmakers producing movies, web series, documentaries, and serials. With JFTI, the state will not only strengthen its cultural identity but also capitalize on its human and natural resources for economic growth. This visionary step by the government will be remembered as a turning point — one that empowers local talent, enriches cultural preservation, and positions Jharkhand as a vibrant hub in India’s cinematic landscape.
(The writer is a popular film and TV actor, poet and writer who hails from Ranchi. For more details www.rajeshjais.com )
