Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha urges youth to strengthen the regional film industry, highlights TFTI’s role, government support, infrastructure plans, and calls for creativity, skill development, and cultural storytelling to take Tripura cinema to national prominence.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday urged the state’s youth to actively contribute to the growth of the regional film and television industry, stating that cinema plays a crucial role in reflecting society and shaping public awareness.
Speaking at the inauguration of a programme titled “Tripura Culture and Heritage Land” at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala, the Chief Minister described film as a powerful medium that mirrors social realities. He said cinema has the ability to portray the good and bad, the past and the present, and even offer insights into the future, thereby influencing social thinking and awareness.
The event was jointly organised by the Tripura Film and Television Institute (TFTI) and the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA). During the programme, certificates were awarded to students who successfully completed courses at TFTI during the 2024–25 academic year. The state government also felicitated artists from various disciplines who received official gradation recognition.
Addressing students and artists, Dr. Saha emphasised the importance of using creativity responsibly. He encouraged those studying at TFTI, as well as its alumni, to think beyond personal success and contribute positively to society through meaningful storytelling and artistic expression.
“The state government has made sustained efforts to develop the Tripura Film and Television Institute into the best film and television institute in the entire North Eastern region,” the Chief Minister said. He added that steps are being taken to identify suitable land for developing permanent infrastructure for the institute, which currently operates from temporary facilities.
Dr. Saha highlighted that Tripura has no shortage of talent, particularly among its youth. He urged young filmmakers, actors, writers, and technicians to build their careers by harnessing their skills and creativity effectively.
“Talent should be properly utilised. If young people are determined and skilled, financial constraints will not become an obstacle. The government will stand beside them,” he said.
The Chief Minister also noted that states like Assam and Manipur have made significant progress in producing films in regional languages. He called upon Tripura’s youth to work consistently to elevate the state’s film industry and establish its presence at regional and national levels, with both individual effort and institutional support.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision, Dr. Saha said that students and youth are the backbone of the nation. “The Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that youth represent the future of the country. All development plans are being designed with students and young citizens in mind. They must always strive to give their best to the nation and society,” he said.
The Chief Minister further informed that the state government is implementing multiple welfare schemes aimed at empowering people from all sections of society. He said the government is also exploring ways to ensure financial independence for students by enabling them to complete professional and skill-based courses at TFTI.
Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, who also addressed the gathering, said that TFTI has been working with dedication to nurture the skills and creative potential of Tripura’s youth. He noted that many students have already completed various courses and are preparing to enter the professional world of cinema and television.
He said the Tripura Film and Television Institute began its journey on November 28, 2022, and is currently being run at Nazrul Kalakshetra in Agartala with academic collaboration from the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata. According to him, the institute is fulfilling the long-standing aspirations of the state’s youth by providing modern, technology-driven training in film and media disciplines.
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The Tourism Minister highlighted that in the 2022–23 academic session, TFTI introduced short-term courses in screen acting, film appreciation, production management for cinema and television, and news anchoring, reporting, and newsroom automation. These courses, he said, are helping students gain practical exposure to the rapidly evolving media industry.
The programme also included the distribution of awards to winners of a screenplay writing competition across different categories, as well as a formal welcome for newly admitted students.
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Several dignitaries attended the event, including P.K. Chakraborty, Secretary of the ICA Department; Samiran Dutta, Vice-Chancellor of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata; Biplab Goswami, Advisor to TFTI; Subrata Chakraborty, Vice-Chairman of the State-level Cultural Advisory Committee; and Bimbisar Bhattacharya, Director of the ICA Department.
The event concluded with a renewed call for collaboration between government institutions, industry experts, and aspiring filmmakers to build a vibrant, sustainable, and culturally rich film ecosystem in Tripura.
