The 20-day-long screen acting course for Nepali actors at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, concluded on March 3. The course was attended by 20 Nepali actors and actresses, all of whom, during a reception organised by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Monday morning, echoed that the course was “fruitful and encouraging.”

Sponsored by the Government of India, the course featured 20 of Nepal’s leading actors and actresses working in theatre and cinema, including artists Malina Joshi, Parikshit Bickram Rana, Pratik Dulal, Rohit (Rumba) Tamang, Sabina Gopali, Samyam Puri, and Sulakshyan Bharati, among others; the candidates were selected on the basis of their performances and accomplishments in films and theatre, the Indian Embassy said.

The residential course took place at the FTII’s office in Pune, from February 12 to March 3; during which, the visiting troupe received training in acting through the Rasa Theory—a study of the four seminal Rashas in Hindu theatre, Srngara, Rudra, Vira and Bibhatsa—sense memory, improvisation, scene-work, and lip sync playback

technique, among others. The course also featured contemporary dance workshops, yoga classes and an excursion to a location where a shooting was ongoing.

“The FTII, Pune has specially designed the curriculum based on the needs and requirements of the participating actors and actresses,” a statement issued by the Indian Embassy reads, “The course provides an excellent opportunity to the participating actors and actresses to further hone their acting skills and capabilities. Through this unique opportunity, the ties between the film fraternities of India and Nepal will be further strengthened.”

Speaking to the Post, actress Sabina Gopali, one among the visiting troupe, said that the trip was “fruitful and very encouraging.” “Many of the acting techniques that were taught in there were akin to the ones we had already done in Nepal as well, only that they carried more nuance and were holistic. Then there were some courses that were refreshing, I am sure they will prove useful in my career ahead,” Gopali said.

FTII is regarded as a centre of excellence across the world and the films made by its students have enjoyed excellent receptions in festivals in India and abroad apart from winning various National and International awards.