05 Sep 2018|Mumbai | Amity University Campus, Mumbai
Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal inaugurates Film Society at Amity University, Mumbai
Octogenarian film-maker Shyam Benegal, who was the Chief Guest on this occasion, inaugurated the 41st Film Society at Amity University, Mumbai today. The Film Societies are the best place to understand and appreciate the cinema culture across the globe. While delivering the inaugural address, the film legend said that understanding the medium of cinema doesn’t happen automatically and one needs to delve deep into it, in order to connect oneself with a film. Benegal stated that the process of learning about a film is similar to that of learning a language, where one needs to first understand its grammar to excel in it.
“Cinema has brought the capabilities to you in a level which only writing and painting had earlier. Today, anyone can make a film; it has become an easy task. It is only about learning and imagination,” he added. Talking about the future of Indian cinema, he stated that while cinema as an art form has crystallized, the media explosion is in a continuous process of evolution. He also highlighted the role of Film Societies in promoting film culture, naming luminaries like Satyajit Ray and Chidanand Dasgupta who were instrumental in shaping the contemporary film industry in the country.
The neorealist wave of cinema in Europe brought about a radical departure from the films that were made prior to it. This revolutionized the Indian film industry to a great extent.
Kiran V. Shantaram, a noted film-maker and the President of the Federation of Film Societies of India was a Guest of Honor on this occasion. While addressing the gathering, he said that there are currently more than 300 Film Societies under its banner across the country, which continue to spread awareness about cinema as an art form. He also extended the support of the V. Shantaram Foundation library (which has over 10,000 books on various genres of cinema) to the members of Amity Film Society.
Sudhir Nandgaonkar, a renowned film critic was also present as an eminent guest. He expressed that the newly-inaugurated Amity Film Society would connect the students to Mumbai, which is the capital of cinema in India.
Dr. D.S. Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Amity University, Mumbai presided over the function. While delivering his presidential address, Dr. Rao said that he sees great potential of the Amity Film Society in becoming a stepping stone in carving out an independent Film School in the near future.
In the beginning of the function, the Dean of the Amity School of Communication, Mumbai, Raghav Chari delivered the welcome address and asked the student fraternity to watch as many films as possible from different genres, yet bring about their own individual stance in their film-making.
The logo of Amity Film Society was unveiled at the ceremony by the dignitaries.
Dr. Ravi Manuja, Registrar of Amity University, Mumbai, presented the vote of thanks. The Animation department led by Professor Sudhakar Kalgutkar prepared animated sketches of the dignitaries which were presented to them.
Deans, directors, Heads of Department, faculty members and over 300 students of Amity University, Mumbai attended this event.