The students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) have gone on strike today (1 October) after two students were injured while shooting a diploma film in Diveagar, Maharashtra, on Saturday (29 September). Reportedly, the crane on which they were standing collapsed during the shoot.
The injured, Anuj Ujavane and N Satish Kumar, have been admitted to a hospital in Pune. Ujavane has sustained a collarbone fracture, while Kumar fell on his head.
The students claim they have been complaining about the bad quality of shooting equipment since long, but the faculty has turned a deaf ear so far. With this accident, the students have decided to go on strike demanding better equipments and the resignation of the institute's director Bhupendra Kainthola.
“The equipment has been substandard. The students have been complaining about this since long but their concerns weren’t paid heed to. The film as well as the TV wing have gone on strike from today. They won’t be attending classes,” confirmed a source from FTII, who didn't wish to be named.
We tried contacting the FTII officials but they remained unavailable.