Indira Group launches acting academy in Pune

City-based Indira Group of Institutes (IGI) joins hands with Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff to start an acting school on its Wakad campus. The IGI’s acting academy will commence its courses from July 2012.

Announcing the opening of the academy and admissions at a press conference held recently in the city, IGI chairperson Tarita Shankar said that Shroff, a partner in the initiative, will play the role of a mentor, programme sculptor and faculty.

Ananth Mahadevan (film director), Ranjit Kapoor (theatre director) and Manoj Joshi (theatre and film actor) will be on the advisory council of the academy and help in setting up the curriculum.
Shroff said, “After working in more than 200 films under 150 directors for over 28 years, I thought it right to teach and talk to students what I have learnt.”

Mahadevan, Kapoor, Chetan Wakalkar (director, Indira Group) and Asmita Dani (director, Indira School of Communication) were also present.

“Anyone passionate about acting can enrol for the course. Students of the academy will get an opportunity to act in plays and short films produced by the academy and their talent will be showcased to eminent film directors from the industry,” said Shankar.

About the IGI’s initiative to start the school in Pune, Mahadevan said, “Pune needs an urgent alternative to the Film and Television
Institute of India (FTII). Many who can’t make it to the FTII will now have an option. The academy will be an important bridge between amateur and professional acting.”

The academy will be starting a 6-month 60-student-batch diploma course in acting. Admissions will start from April 10, 2012, and anyone above 18 years of age and having cleared standard XII is eligible to apply for the course. Applicants will have to go through a selection procedure of interview and audition.