Exploring the world of opportunities in film education

In a conversation with the CityTAB, Amala Akkineni talks about the importance of film and media and how they are such a creative and powerful medium

“I began at a time (in the film industry) when learning anything about cinema was difficult. The senior directors (of today) used to wait outside the house of directors of that time just so that they could learn something from them. So, it involved all those laborious waits and trials to make through, learn and reach where they are now,” shares Amala.

Amala, who is the honorary director at the Annapurna International School of Film and Media (AISFM), points out the significance of such courses. “Times have changed. There are many courses coming up (for films and media) but, only a selective section of parents allow their children to opt for such a stream. Despite the fact that this field offers a host of jobs, most of the parents think conventional courses will give their children a stable and secure future,” she states.

“In today’s world you have to be creative and think out-of-the-box to make yourself employable. Every individual comes with their own way of grasping knowledge. Workshops and internships help them put theory into practice. And, that is what we do at AISFM—the mentoring,” explains Amala. “We have degree and diploma courses in media, film, animation and advertising based on American curriculum. For now we have around 300 students including a student from Bangladesh. We have faculty coming from different countries and we are exploring employment opportunities in different field of specialisation,” adds the actress.

Talking on becoming an official part of the institution, she says, “I was involved with the school from day one but was behind the scene. My official journey started just a few months back and it has been a learning, growing and a fun one. The students are amazing and very creative. We want them to get a good place and make their own identity in this industry.”

On the idea of setting the school amidst the studio, Amala says, “My father-in-law, Akkineni Nageswara Rao always said, ‘I wish I could give children the education that I didn’t get. All that I have learnt and experienced, I wish I could share it with the future generation’. So we took the initiative and built the school of his dreams.”

Talking about her association with Sunsolite, the multifaceted Amala says, “I have a lot of beliefs and convictions that causes the right representative. Sunsolite was brought to me from the family who followed Vipassana. Satya Narayan Goenka was a Burmese-Indian teacher of Vipassanā meditation and his brother, Rameswar Balakrishna Goenka, is the founder company. So, there was a deep trust that somebody from their family is coming from a place which teaches you about purity and there was no doubt about the product.”

Commenting on her upcoming projects, she says, “At this stage of my life I am really not looking for work or looking for exposure. I am just looking at who is making it. I think the older you get, you look for source and not surface. So, when Kamal Haasan approached me, I was really happy. I will be doing a cameo in his film.”

“The world is going through many challenges. Many issues are coming out like economic crisis, climate change, over-population and other terrible things, which are stressful and confronting for a young person to see how the future is going to look like. So, once you stop responding to these issues and rather start working on what you have to offer to the world, you will always find something wonderful to contribute. When you find answers within, you show the way to others,” she concludes with a smile.

By Meenakshi Sengupta