Faculty

Professor Sandeep Shahare

Dean (Television)

Shri Dhiraj A. Meshram

Dean (Films)

B.A., Graduated from FTII's Department of Film Directiion in year 2004 and started teaching at FTII in 2006. While in service, Mr. Meshram has completed his M.F.A. in Drama from Nagpur University.

He is currently associated as Dean Film in the Institute.

Wasimbarry Maner

Associate Professor ETV Film Production

Dr.Alwin Anuse

Associate Professor TV Engineering (Recording)

He completed his Ph.D. in E&TC Engineering  from the College of Engineering Pune, affiliated with SPPU (Savitribai Phule Pune University). His research focused on applying Artificial Intelligence to photography images. His work has been published in prestigious journals such as Springer and Elsevier. Additionally, he served as a reviewer for renowned journals, including IEEE's Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems and IET's Image Processing.

His research interests include Artificial Intelligence-based systems, signal processing, AI applications in filmmaking, and social computing. In 2018, he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Indian Film Studies from SPPU, followed by a Diploma in Theater Arts from IGNOU in 2022. He also earned an eleven-month Postgraduate Certificate in Data Science from MIT World Peace University and KPMG India, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Administration from IGNOU in 2024.

Dr Ranjit Sadakale

Assistant Professor TV Engineering

He holds Ph.d in Wireless Communication in 2021. M.Tech in Electronics and Telecommunication from VJTI and IIT Mumbai. Before Joining to FTII he worked as an Assistant Professor at COEP Technological University Pune.

He has more than 40 research papers in National and International Journals and Conferences. He is having total 14 Years of experience in Research, Industrial and Academics. He is currently working as an Assistant Professor in Television (TV) Engineering Department.

Dr. Bishwa B. Behura

Associate Professor, TV Technical Management

Dr. Bishwa B. Behura is a cinematographer and faculty member at FTII Pune specializes in teaching electronic cinematography. He earned his diploma in cinematography from the Biju Patnaik Film & Television Institute of Odisha, Cuttack. He also holds a master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His Ph.D. focuses on analysis of visual approaches in Pioneer Cinematographer Santosh Sivan's films.

Before joining FTII Pune, Dr. Behura worked on several fiction and non-fiction productions in the Mumbai film industry. He has also been associated with the Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia University. Dr. Behura has published several research papers in Scopus-indexed and UGC CARE-listed journals. He possesses extensive knowledge in visual aesthetics and is well-versed with the latest technology and equipment used in the domain of digital cinematography.

Dr. Rajendraprasad A. Pagare

Assistant Professor TV Engineering (Technical Operations)

Working as Assistant Professor, TV Technical Operations with FTII, TV Engineering Department since May-2024. He is also a Liaison Officer: SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Ex- Servicemen at FTII. He has received Ph.D. in Next Generation multigigabit Optical Access Networks from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University’s Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), Ch. Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India. He has completed his Masters in Engineering from S.G.G.S. Institute of Technology (Formally Government-Aides College of Engineering), Maharashtra, India. He has 19 years teaching experience with different engineering colleges associated with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) (Formerly Pune University). His research area of includes Transmission & Broadcasting Technologies, TV Technical Operations, Virtual Production (VP), AI-ML in VP.  He has published 15 papers in peer revived journals, conferences international publisher.  He has also published an authored book entitled 'Future Optical Access Networks (FOAN)' with an international publisher Springer Nature. He is a life member of Indian Society for Technical Educations (ISTE). He was criteria coordinator for multiple criteria’s for NAAC accreditation process of different engineering colleges and Universities.

Shri Indraneel Lahiri

Associate Professor Cinematography

Shri. Sandeep Chatterjee

Professor Direction

Sandeep Chatterjee is a distinguished alumnus of the Film &Television Institute of India, Pune. He began his teaching career as Assistant Professor at Satyajit Ray Film &Television Institute in Kolkata, from its inception in 1997 and later joined FTII in 2009. He also has taught in various film schools and has conducted workshops and lecture sessions in India and abroad.

His film “Sundar Jeebon”based on a story by iconic Bengali poet Jibanananda Das, has won the National Award. His other influential films like “Raat Koto Holo”and “Reconnaisance”  had also won him critical acclaim.

With his experience as filmmaker and as a teacher for more than 25 years, he is currently the Professor and Head of the Department of Direction and Screenwriting.

Shri Jijoy P R

Associate Professor Acting

Shri. Indranil Bhattacharya

Professor Screen Studies & Research

Shri M. D. Negi

Professor TV Production

Shri Vaibhav A. Gham

Associate Professor TV Engineering (Technical Operations)

Shri Ashwin sonone

Associate Professor TV Production Management

Shri Mandar Digrajkar

Associate Professor TV Graphics

Holds Diploma in Commercial Arts from Kolhapur, Advanced Diploma in Computer Animation from C-DAC Pune, Masters degreein Indology from TMV Pune and Master of Fine Arts from University of Aurangabad. After working in Animation and VFX industry for 14 years he joined FTII in December 2011.

Shri Harish K M

Professor Sound Engineering

Shri Milind Bapat

Assistant Professor TV Production

Shri. Bapat is currently handling various responsibilities in ‘Sound department’ in film wing, FTII

He has completed his M.B.A. finance and Diploma in Cinema (SR &SD) from FTII

Shri Thivakaran T.

Assistant Professor Cinematography

Shri Syed Tanveer Tahir

Assistant Professor TV Graphics

Shri A.R. Kavishwar

Assistant Professor Art Direction

Ashutosh holds BFA in Applied Art from JJ School of Arts, Mumbai, 1995. Masters in Indology and completed PG Diploma in Art Direction from FTII, batch of 1996. He has a professional experience of 25 years, that includes 21 years at Film and Television Institute of India, Pune in various academic and non-academic capacities.

He possesses keen interest and in-depth knowledge on Indian Ancient Indian Culture, especially Temple Architecture and is currently working on Monograph of late Indian veteran Art Director,

Sh. Bansi Chandragupta.

Dr. Milind Damle

Associate Professor ETV Production

Milind Damle is a FTII alumni with specialization in film and TV editing 2004. He has been practicing Radio, TV, Film in various creative positions such as writer, producer and director. Dwijaa, the Diploma film he wrote and edited won a National Award in 2005. Adwait Sangeet, which was honored as opening film of Indian Panaroma, IFFI 2011 was co-produced by him. He has also worked as Coordinator for UNDP FTII Planning Commission Project “Films for Human Development” producing 32 films in 13 states of India.

After working with the Star TV as Executive Producer, now he serves FTII as faculty since 2012. While in service Mr. Damle has completed MA Mass Communication and Journalism from Madurai Kamraj University. Along with teaching, he also practices Film Editing in Regional Indian Cinema.

Shri Monal Aron

Assistant Professor Sound Engineering

Shri Amlan Chakraborty

FRO, Assistant Professor Editing

Educated at St.Xavier's College, Kolkata, Amlan Chakraborty, holds degree in B.Sc from the University of Calcutta in (1998) and Post-graduate Diploma in Editingspecialization from FTII in (2002). He has also completed Initiation to Filmmaking programmeat Chitrabani, Kolkata in 1999. As student in FTII, he received "Outstanding Asian Student Film Award" in 2005 at the Student Film and Video Festival organized by the Beijing Film Academy.

He joined FTII as Assistant Professor in 2014.

Shri Issac Newton

Assistant Professor Sound Recording

Shri Sumit Kumar

Professor Editing

Sumit Kumar graduated from BHU, Varanasi and also completed his Diploma in Film Editing in 2014 from FTII, Pune.

His edited documentary “The donkey fair” got selected in Indian Panorama, IFFI- Goa, 2013 and also got special mentioned in 1st National Student Film Award, 2013. His directed and edited short film “Innovative Dream” selected and won best film award in “Porsche Film Award 2015, Stuttgart, Germany.  His edited advertisement for EESL won PR Asia awards-2016. His edited feature film “1982 a love marriage” won "Best Romantic Film" award at the 9th Jaipur International Film Festival in India. He edited the campaign “Make Love, not scar” which won prestigious Silver Lions in Creative Effectiveness for Good at Cannes Lions-2017, France.

Shri. Kumar, worked several years as a lead graphics designer and VFX artist before joining FTII as an Assistant Professor at TV wing, Editing Department in 2017. 

Shri. Alphons Joseph

Professor of Music

Shri Vaibhav Jadhav

Associate Professor Screenwriting

Vaibhav Jadhav is a documentary filmmaker and a screenwriter trained from Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). With an academic background as an engineer from IIT Madras, he has made over 15 documentary films and worked in the Hindi film industry as a screenwriter garnering an experience of more than eight years. Some of his films have been selected at national and international film festivals. He has also worked as a creative director as well as a production head at different production companies. His interest lies in exploring new narrative possibilities through engagement with ground reality, collaborations and skill sharing.   

Atul Lanjudkar

Assistant Professor (TV Sound)

Atul Lanjudkar is an Assistant Professor(TV Sound) in the Film and Television Institute of India. He worked as a Production Sound Mixer, Sound Designer and Educator in national and international projects over a period of 12 years .

He pursued his Bachelors in Information Technology from College of Engineering, Pune (COEP), PGC in Sound Recording and TV Engineering from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (FTII), PGDM in Mass Communication and Journalism from IGNOU and MSC in Sound Engineering from Singhania University .

His notable projects includes "National Geographic’s Megastructures (Mundra Port)"; multiple award winning films "Kajal/Kohl" "Chudala"; "Pahuna: The Little Visitors" which screened at Cannes and won international and national awards; Feature film "Gone Kesh"; Egyptian feature film "Gahim Fel Hend" .

He worked as Sound Designer in "Mhorkya" which won 65th National Awards and other awards in PIFF 2018; as Location Sound Mixer in "Amazon Originals: Inside Edge-Season 3" a Emmy Awards nominated web series. Nominated as Best Sound Designer in Filmfare Marathi 2021.

He is also involved in film education as a full time faculty from 2020. He also happened to work as technical support engineer with notable Pro Audio brands like Yamaha Audio, Neumann, Sennheiser, WAVES Audio and Rode in Dubai, UAE.

Aritra Ganguly

Assistant Professor, Video Editing

Aritra Ganguly is a graduate of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute ( SRFTI) where he specialised in Film Editing. 

He also holds a Masters Degree in Film Studies from Jadavpur University.

 He has contributed as an assistant editor to acclaimed feature films like Dear Zindagi, Laal Singh Chaddha, Stree etc. As an independent editor, his work spans documentaries produced by the Films Division of India and PSBT, alongside numerous advertisements and short films. 

Aritra has also served as a Post-Production Supervisor for multiple feature films. 

SWAPNIL VASANT KAPURE

Assistant Professor, TV Production

A National Film Awardee, Swapnil Vasant Kapure is an alumnus of the Film & Television Institute of India, Pune. He holds a Master’s degree in Communication Studies with a specialization in Video Production from the Department of Media & Communication Studies at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra. With a career spanning over a decade, Swapnil has made a significant impact in the world of cinema and audiovisual media since 2009.

He has collaborated with several prominent directors, contributing as associate director or co-director on films such as Salaam, Tuhya Dharm Koncha?, Loose Control, Oli Ki Suki, Sumbraan, Aatpat Nagar etc. Additionally, he has directed and written a variety of documentaries, corporate films, and ad films independently.

During his time at FTII, Swapnil created remarkable work as a student. His documentary Thiyya (Labor Spot), won the prestigious CILECT Asia Pacific Award (CAPA) in 2018. His final diploma film, Bhar Dupari (The Afternoon), received the National Film Award in the non-feature category at the 65th National Film Awards of India in 2018. The same film was also selected for the Indian Panorama Section at the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa that year. Additionally, he wrote, directed, and produced the long short film Don Jagatala Kavi - Poet In Two Worlds, an adaptation of a short story by the eminent Marathi writer Balaji Sutar. Swapnil's films have been screened at numerous festivals across India and abroad, earning multiple accolades.

Beyond his filmmaking expertise, Swapnil is passionate about teaching cinema and has conducted workshops and lectures on Direction and Writing. Before joining the Television wing, he served as the Assistant Film Research Officer in the Department of Screen Studies & Research at FTII. During this time, he coordinated several winter and summer film appreciation courses, in collaboration with CFOL (Centre for Open Learning) and NFDC (NFAI), and facilitated student film submissions to national and international festivals in consultation with various departments.

Navagat Prakash

Asst. Professor, Electronic Cinematography

An FTII alumnus specializing in Electronic Cinematography (2014), Navagat Prakash is an accomplished cinematographer. His work has been showcased at film festivals across US, Canada, Europe and India. Navagat's versatile portfolio includes projects such as ‘Paatal Lok’, ‘Mismatched’, ‘Tabbar’, ‘Tum Se Na Ho Payega’ and ‘Faadu’.

‘Goolar Ke Phool’, shot by Navagat won the Best Short Film award at Kolkata International Film Festival 2024. ‘Darzi’, another short, won the Best Cinematography award at the Delhi International Film Festival 2024. ‘Mithu Di’, a documentary he shot, was awarded the 2021 National Film Award for best film on social issues. In 2018, Navagat was recipient of the PSBT scholarship for his documentary, ‘The Other Men In Blue’.

He is actively working on emerging technologies such as AI & Machine Learning; and their application to cinematography and image processing.

Maheen Mirza

Asst. Professor, Electronic Cinematography

Maheen Mirza, an independent filmmaker and cinematographer, trained in Electronic Cinematography at FTII, Pune (2010), also holds a postgraduate degree from TISS (1997). Committed to collective filmmaking, she has spent over a decade making independent films that challenge commercial cinema's conventions while nurturing a culture of inclusivity. Capturing localized aesthetics, her organic approach to cinema, opens new avenues for design, technique, and skill. Collaborating with grassroots collectives and organizations nationwide, she has scripted, shot, and directed fiction and documentary films on socio-political issues. Her acclaimed films, including Ek Jagah Apni (2022), Agar Wo Desh Banati (2018), and Turup (2017), explore the lives of women, children, and people from indigenous, Dalit, minority, queer, and transgender communities. Her work has been showcased at festivals like SXSW, Tokyo International
Film Festival, Goteborg Film Festival, MAMI, Mumbai Film Festival; International Film Festival of Kerala and the Kochi Biennale

Sanjay More

Associate Professor, Screen Acting

Sanjay More, an alumnus of FTII with a Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Acting and a Master’s in Theatre and Films, is a dedicated acting coach and educator. With a strong focus on research-oriented, individualized training, he has mentored aspiring actors across India through his extensive teaching experience. Sanjay served as an Associate Professor in the Screen Acting Department at FTII and has conducted workshops nationwide under FTII’s Centre for Open Learning. He has also worked as Acting Department Head at the Indian Television Academy’s School of Performing Arts, Pune, and as a visiting faculty member at institutions like Dramalay School of Acting. Combining his academic insights with professional experience, Sanjay’s teaching emphasizes the psychological and emotional nuances of acting, making him a respected figure in the field of screen acting education.

Samadarshi Dutta

Assistant Professor, Screen Acting

Samadarshi Dutta, educated at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, with specialization in Screen Acting. With nearly 20 years of professional acting experience, he has established himself as a versatile artist in the film and theatre industry. In addition to his acting career, he has been deeply involved in teaching the craft of acting. He has served as a faculty member at the Tripura Film and Television Institute in association with the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. He has also taught at the State Institute of Film and Television, Rohtak, Haryana, where he has inspired and mentored aspiring actors with his expertise and passion for the performing arts.

Dharmakirti Sumant

Assistant Professor Screenwriting

Recipient of Sahitya Akademi Yuva Award (2012), Dharmakiriti Sumant has done his Masters in Creative Writing - Scriptwriting from University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK) under Inlaks Overseas Education Scholarship Award (2017-18). He's an alumnus of Screenwriting department (FTII) with released films such as 'Maunraag' (2013), 'Phuntroo' (additional dialogue) (2016), 'CRD' (2017) and 'Ashleel Udyog Mitra Mandal' (2020). With an academic background in political science, Sumant is also a visiting faculty at SCMC, SIMC (Symbiosis), SPPU: Lalit Kala Kendra, FLAME; as well as a playwright with published Marathi plays namely 'Pani, Charu Aro Ity' and 'Geli Ekvees Varsha'.

Shri Niraj Voralia

Assistant Professor Video Editing

Shri Banjamin Gilani

Mentor

Shri Siddharth Shasta

Professor Acting

Siddharth Shasta is a graduate from Hindu College (University of Delhi) and an alumnus of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.

His passion for teaching acting is no less. He has worked extensively with schools, institutions and NGO's to cultivate the need of film/ theatre knowledge for people at multiple levels – childhood, youth, adult and Mature. He has also developed and conducted a special programme for the students of National School of Drama(NSD), New Delhi and other theatre students, acting workshopsacross India under the banner of SKIFT, FTII.

He was deputed as the Course Director and faculty for the short course in screen acting at the prestigious Rashtryia Sanskritik Mahotsav, Banaras, International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa and for the "Special Screen Acting Course" for Nepali actors conducted by FTII in association with Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India in 2018. Siddarth, has directed many short films and more than 25 full length plays,

Presently Siddharth Shasta is designated as Professor and Head of the Screen Acting Department at FTII.

Shri Madhu Apsara

Associate Professor Sound

BSc Physics from Calicut University in 1986.

FTII Alumni of 1988 batch, PG Diploma in Cinema with specialisation in Sound Recording and Sound Engineering.

Recorded and designed sound for a number of feature films and documentaries. Some of the feature films are ‘Merry X’Mas’ 2024, ‘Andhadhun’ 2018 (Won Screen Award for Best Sound Design), ‘Badlapur’ 2014, ‘Agent Vinod’ 2012, ‘Johnny Gaddar’ (Won Filmfare Award for Best Sound Design) 2007, ‘Ek Hasin Thi’ 2004, ‘Evening Shadows’ 2018 (The film won 8 various International Awards),’Weather Report’ 2017,’Gattu’ 2015, ‘The Firm Land’ 2008, ‘Arimpara’ (Co writer) 2003,’Throne of Death’ (The film won Camera D’ OR 1999 at Cannes 1999). ‘Dharavi’ 1991 (The film won multiple National Awards) , and many more.

Was part of the sound team of ‘Ahoka’2001, ‘Company’ 2002, ‘Bhooth’ 2003, ‘Bhoothnath’ 2008, ‘Dhoom’ 1&2, 2004 & 2006, ‘Gayab’ 2004, ‘Heroes’ 2008, ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’ 2006, ‘Agyath’ 2009, ‘Kaal’ 2005, and many more.

Some of the documentaries are ‘Chasing Shadows’-In search of Snow Leopards (Wild life) Part 1 & 2, 2022, ‘The Garden of Forgotten Snow’ 2017, ‘Raag Prayag’ 2017, ‘Breaking Free’ 2015 (The film had won National Award), ‘Red Ant Dreams’ 2013, ‘Jashn-e- Azadi’ 2007, ‘Manjuben Truck Driver’ 2008 and many more.

Some of the documentary series for Channel 4 include ‘A Different Life’ 2003, ‘Miracles of Faith’ 2000.

Worked with Mani Kaul as his chief assistant in the films ‘The Cloud Door’, ‘The Servant’s Shirt’, ' Light Apparel 'and ' Bhoj ', during 1992 to 1999.

A student of Dhrupad Gurukul, Palaspe, Panvel and has been engineering and recording many live concerts associated with the Gurukul in various venues.

Shri Siddharth Sinha

Associate Professor Direction

Shri Debasish Sarkar

Assistant Professor Editing

Holds Post Graduate Diploma in editing , FTII Pune.

Ms Suchitra Sathe

Assistant Professor Editing

Suchitra Sathe is a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) where she specialised in Film Editing. She also holds a Masters Degree in Communication Studies from Pune University.

Her Diploma film on which she worked as an editor, won the prestigious Silver Bear for Best Short Film at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival and National Award for Best Short Fiction Film in 2008. She has edited over 16 feature films, several documentaries and short films. Some of her work includes National Award winning films such as Gabhricha Paus (The Damned Rain), Ringan (The Quest) and Dhappa (Howzzat). She has edited critically acclaimed films like CRD and commercial successes like Time Please, Baapjanma and Gulabjaam among others.

She is teaching in the TV wing of FTII since 2015.

Shri Ganesh Gaikwad

Assistant Professor Direction

Studied film direction at the FTII and holds a master’s degree in communication studies from Pune University. Hisdocumentary film Voices across the Oceans,  was awarded the Golden Lotus for Best Direction at the 53rd National Film Awards in 2005. Also, Traveling in a Cage, a portrait of renowned poet-artist Dilip Chitre, received a special mention award at the 12th UGC-CEC Annual Video Competition in 2000. His Hindi translation of selected Marathi poems of Dilip Chitre titled 'Barf ke Din' AKA ' Days of Snow' has been published in the journal of Hindi literature, Samās, in 2017. 

Before joining FTII as a faculty, he has taught filmmaking and film appreciation at Pune University and Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune.  

Shri Narayanan Vasudevan

Assistant Professor Editing

Graduated in English & History from Calicut University in, 1993, and later with Post Graduate Diploma in Film Making (Editing specilisation), FTII Pune 1996 Batch. Worked in many commercial & offbeat films (Hindi) as assistant Editor, in Mumbai from 1997 to 2005 and later as Assistant Director ( Train to Pakistan, Private Detective, Jhooth Bole Kauvva Kaate. Worked as Editor to many National Award winning documentaries in Malayalam- Pakarnattam, Minukku, Nottam.Journeys. Started making spots and Independent Documentaries for UNDP from 2001, Directed independent feature film Anthiponvettom, ( Malayalam) in 2008. Worked as Executive Producer to Malayalam feature film Vairam & involved in Film Distribution with CinemaNSR Mumbai.Made two independent documentaries Suvarnam ( 2004) & Journey Inward (2013). Course consultant to at Sims, Sahlom Tv, Hod & Associate Professor at KRNNIVSA, Kottayam Kerala ( 2014 to 2018) Faculty ( Editing) Xavier Institute of Communication (Mumbai) 2019. Documented & revived age old Sanskrit texts, performed in Koodiyattam (World’ oldest Sanskrit theatre) like Naganandam, Bhagavadhoothu for international audience 2004.