Observing that film-making and editing were forms of art, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to adopt a more inclusive and progressive approach in the matter related to permitting candidates suffering from colour blindness to pursue all courses on film-making and editing.
A Bench comprising Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice M.M. Sundresh told FTII that no discrimination shall be made on the basis of colour blindness for getting admission in the institute.
The order was passed on an appeal filed by Patna resident Ashutosh Kumar, challenging the Bombay High Court verdict, which rejected his plea seeking admission in three-year post graduate diploma course in film editing at FTII.
Earlier, the apex court had formed a committee of experts on the issue.
The Bench noted that as per the committee, individuals with colour blindness should be able to enrol for all courses at FTII.
The Apex Court said since film and TV creation were collaborating art forms, restricting may stifle creative talent and development of art, adding that any limitation can be overcome by help.
It observed that it was not FTII’s job to determine the candidates’ future occupational prospects.
The Court said the job of an Editor must be to creatively work with story, dialogue, music and performances and even rewrite the film.
Kumar was short-listed for the course, but his candidature was rejected after he was found to be colour blind during the medical examination.
The authorities cited FTII rules, which state that colour blind candidates are not fit for admission in a few courses, including film editing.
Kumar had moved the High Court in 2016 against rejection of admission, but failed to get a reprieve.
The High Court had noted that FTII has set up an admission committee of experts from various fields to review the admission criteria and carved out six out of 12 courses at FTII, in which colour blind candidates were not found suitable.