In a first-ever initiative, the Government of India is sponsoring a 20-day course from February 12 to March 3 at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune for 20 leading Nepali actors and actresses. The participants, hailing from different regions of Nepal, have been short-listed on the basis of their performances and accomplishments in films and theatre.

During the course, the participants would receive rigorous training in acting through teaching of Rasa Theory, Sense memory, improvisation, scene-work and lip sync playback, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a statement on Sunday. 

“The FTII, Pune has specially designed the curriculum based on the needs and requirements of the participating actors and actresses,” it says, adding that apart from the training at the FTII, the participants would also get an opportunity to interact with the leading Bollywood celebrities. The course also entails contemporary dance workshops, yoga classes as well as an exposure visit to an ongoing shooting location at Mumbai. 

“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,” the statement reads.

Established in 1960 an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India, the FTII is a premier film training institute of India and boasts of a rich legacy in quality Indian cinema.

The institute 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.

“The FTII alumni have left an indelible imprint across all facets of Indian Cinema and television and have built an excellent reputation in its allied industries,” it adds.