Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Colorblind Candidates for FTII Courses

The case of Ashutosh Kumar vs. The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) & Anr. is a landmark ruling addressing discrimination against colorblind candidates in educational institutions. The Supreme Court examined whether colorblind individuals could be denied admission to courses at FTII, particularly the Diploma in Film Editing program. The Court ultimately ruled in favor of inclusivity, recognizing the rights of individuals with color vision deficiency to pursue careers in filmmaking.

Background of the Case

The appellant, Ashutosh Kumar, applied for admission to the Diploma in Editing course at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. However, he was denied admission on the ground that he was colorblind. The FTII had an eligibility requirement barring colorblind candidates from enrolling in several of its courses, including:

Cinematography
Electronic Cinematography
Editing
Video Editing
Art Direction and Production Design

Aggrieved by this rejection, the appellant challenged the decision, arguing that his condition did not hinder his ability to complete the course. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, where it raised fundamental questions about equal opportunity in education and professional training.

Formation of Expert Committee

Instead of making a unilateral decision, the Supreme Court constituted an Expert Committee to study the impact of colorblindness on film editing and other filmmaking disciplines. The Committee included:

Ravi K Chandran – Film Director
Swapnil Patole – Colorist
Shubha Ramachandra – Script Supervisor
Akkineni Sreekar Prasad – Film Editor
Rajasekharan – HOD, Editing
Dr. Jignesh Taswala – Ophthalmologist
Shoeb Alam – Advocate

Key Findings of the Committee

The Committee studied international best practices, consulted film professionals, and evaluated the relevance of color perception in film editing. The key findings were:

1. Colorblindness Does Not Hinder Film Editing

The Committee noted that film editing is primarily about sequencing, pacing, and storytelling rather than color grading. A professional editor works collaboratively with a colorist who handles color adjustments.

2. Colorblindness and Other Creative Professions

The Committee cited numerous examples of successful individuals with disabilities excelling in their fields:

Sir Roger Deakins – Oscar-winning cinematographer who relies on assistants for digital color correction.
Loren Long – A renowned illustrator with colorblindness.
Sudha Chandran – A dancer with a prosthetic limb.
Pranav Lal – A blind photographer using sound-based imaging technology.

3. International Film Schools Do Not Discriminate

Leading film institutes worldwide do not bar colorblind candidates. Institutions like CalArts and other global film schools make reasonable accommodations instead of enforcing blanket bans.

4. FTII’s Existing Policy Lacked Specificity

The FTII’s admission policy did not distinguish between different types of colorblindness. The Expert Committee found that only severe cases (like complete monochromacy) might pose difficulties, but even those could be managed with assistance.

Supreme Court’s Verdict

The Supreme Court accepted the Committee’s recommendations and ruled that:

FTII must allow colorblind candidates to enroll in all courses.
The 20-minute “color grading module” in the editing course must be made optional or removed.
Other film schools in India should follow this ruling.

The Court stated:

“Art is non-conformist in character. The restrictions imposed by FTII contradict the essence of filmmaking as a collaborative art form.”

The ruling emphasized that the FTII’s approach was outdated and did not align with modern filmmaking practices.

Impact of the Judgment

This judgment is a significant victory for inclusivity in creative education. By ensuring that individuals with colorblindness are not unfairly excluded, the Supreme Court has set a precedent for other academic institutions in India. The ruling recognizes that:

Disabilities do not define a person’s creative potential.
Educational institutions must adopt reasonable accommodations.
Outdated admission policies should be reformed to reflect contemporary industry practices.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision in Ashutosh Kumar vs. FTII is a landmark ruling promoting equal opportunities in education and the arts. By ensuring that colorblind individuals are not excluded from film courses, the Court has reinforced the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination.

The ruling serves as a wake-up call for institutions still following exclusionary policies. With this judgment, India takes a step forward in ensuring that education remains accessible to all, irrespective of physical limitations.

Petitioner Name: Ashutosh Kumar.
Respondent Name: The Film and Television Institute of India & Anr..
Judgment By: Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice M.M. Sundresh.
Place Of Incident: Pune, Maharashtra.
Judgment Date: 12-04-2022.

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