Indian film industry condemns arrest of FTII students

Kapur tweeted: "There was a time #FTII was considered one of the best film schools in Asia and produced some brilliant talent. What happened?"

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta said: "To all those outraging over 12 lacs per student spent from your tax. What about 1.25 lac crore committed to a state for winning elections?"

Indian film sound designer Resul Pookutty posted: "A senior official from I&B ministry talked to me at length at 8pm about how to solve the impasse& he said they are coming to #FTII in a ....couple of days.then why this arrest in the middle of the night...?! That too including girls?!"

Director Nikhil Advani said : "#FTII students mid-night arrest. SAD!!!"

Musician Vishal Dadlani tweeted: "No, no, brother. I'm not nearly as 'qualified' as the current incumbent in Pune. #FTII #IdiotsOnParade ."

Five students of FTII were arrested from campus after midnight on Tuesday and about a dozen more were charged as the standoff between students and authorities over centre's choice of the institute's chief escalated to a new height.

Reports said at around 1.30 am, students were arrested and taken to the police station following a complaint by the institute's director Prashant Pathrabe.

They will be produced in court on Wednesday.

Pathrabe's  First Information Report names 17 students, including three girls, who have not been arrested till now.

The director filed a police complaint after he was held captive in his office for seven hours on Monday by students who refused to let him go until they were heard.

Pathrabe finally called the police; students claim they were mistreated and manhandled.