Sushil Kumar Modi, Sunil Kumar ‘Pintu’, Manoj Tiwari among others at the inaugural function of Yashi Films & Television Institute in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Feb. 12: For hundreds of budding actors of Bihar who cannot afford to seek admission to acting institutes in other states, here’s a piece of good news.

From now, they can get lessons on acting, and allied subjects, at Yashi Films & Television Institute of India that was inaugurated in the Krishna Nagar area of the state capital today.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who inaugurated the institute, said: “Earlier, there was no need to join acting classes. But in this age of competition, an artist has to be talented and trained as well. I am sure that this institute will provide the budding actors with a platform to get trained and excel.”

He added, “The government is ready to provide all support to the Bhojpuri film industry. Bhojpuri language will be soon included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. It is widely spoken not only in Bihar, but also in countries such as Fiji, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Mauritius.”

Tourism minister Sunil Kumar “Pintu” urged film producers to choose Bihar as their locale, instead of Mumbai and other big cities.

The institute has been set up with the purpose of giving an opportunity to the young artists in the state who cannot afford to join schools like Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Whistling Woods International, Mumbai. Yashi Films & Television Institute of India will offer a four-month acting diploma course. The course module will focus on training in acting, yoga, aerobics, dance, dubbing, stunts and martial arts, television and radio, diction and speech, grooming and personality development.

Popular Bhojpuri actors like Manoj Tiwari, Dinesh Lal Yadav and Pakhi Hegde came down from Mumbai to attend the inauguration ceremony. Bollywood stars associated with Bhojpuri films like Bhagyashree of Maine Pyar Kiya-fame and popular singer Udit Narayan Jha, who is originally from Mithila, were also present on the occasion.

“Many people want to be associated with the film industry, particularly acting. But for that, training is of utmost importance. This institute will hopefully provide the young artistes with the necessary platform,” said Manoj.

He added that the state government should form a board to censor Bhojpuri films. “There is a censor board at national level. But there should be a board at the state level that should censor Bhojpuri films. Vulgar contents and obscenity do not help Bhojpuri films in getting appreciated,” Manoj further said.

“We will take 30 students in one batch. Classes of the first batch will start from February 15.. The institute will provide state-of-the-art facilities to the students. The training will be imparted by qualified teachers, while eminent actors will be guest lecturers during the course,” said Abhay Sinha, one of the founders of the institute. The course fee for the four-month module will be Rs 1 lakh.