Cinema Scope

Cultural Studies was introduced here in 2009,along with an option to pursue M.Phil/Ph.D in Film Studies. While MPhil takes a year and a half,PhD researches can go up to five years. The Film Studies course offers 20 seats,and students can gain admission on the basis of MA (English) plus an entrance exam. What makes this option fresh and offbeat is the fact that it urges students to unlearn everything. “It’s like turning the pages beyond Shakespeare,James Joyce and Milton and explore the present world — what shapes it,who runs it and what influences it,” says Goel,adding,“Films play a major role in facilitating this understanding.”

While the first year had its share of teething problems,Goel says many students in the second regular batch – that joined in 2011 opted for MPhil and PhD in Film Studies.

Talking about the batch,she says that all the students are in their twenties and from diverse backgrounds,but more than a passion for films,it’s their curiosity to understand this medium that brings them together. For instance,Gopal Singh is into discourse analysis of film and media,while Ishaan Sharma is interested in the aesthetics and detailing that go into a film. Ravdeep Gill,on the other hand,is exploring the post-human elements in films,depicted in sci-fi films such as I Robot and Bicentennial Man. While Shikha Chahal has chosen autobiographical films,Navita Negi has opted to research on biographical works.

And this first batch of researchers is laying down the foundation for those to follow. They not only study films,but travel to film festivals too. Just back from one in Kerala and in Delhi,they are excited to pool in resources for upcoming ones across India and also organise private screenings of films.

The course also opens up a variety of avenues for them. “You can get into film journalism,film analysis,be a film critic,researcher,curator of film festivals or even a cine blogger,” says Goel.