Apeejay College of Fine Arts Students Step into the Film Industry

Students of the PG Department of Multimedia at Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar, have added another achievement to the institution’s growing legacy of experiential learning. Kushal Walia and Manitraj Singh successfully worked as Assistant Directors on the Punjabi film Yaar Jigree Kasooti Degree, gaining valuable first-hand exposure to the professional world of filmmaking.

Their achievement was appreciated by Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra, who congratulated both students and encouraged them to continue working with dedication and perseverance to achieve greater milestones in their careers. Their experience on a professional film set provided an opportunity to apply skills and concepts acquired through their academic programme to a real-world creative environment.

To further extend this industry exposure to other students, the Department of Multimedia organised an educational visit to PVR Cinemas, MBD Mall, Jalandhar, where students watched Yaar Jigree Kasooti Degree. The initiative was designed not merely as a film screening but as an experiential learning opportunity that would enable students to understand the creative and technical processes involved in filmmaking.

Dr. Dhingra emphasised that professional education must go beyond textbook-based learning and provide students with opportunities to develop practical expertise. She explained that the objective of screening the film was to help students gain a deeper understanding of the art and techniques of filmmaking while strengthening their professional skills.

Highlighting the importance of experiential learning, Dr. Dhingra said, “Cinema is not just about watching films; it is about understanding the art behind them. Such events enable our students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practices.”

During the screening and subsequent discussions, students explored several important cinematic elements, including storytelling, sound design, character development, editing and visual effects. The experience encouraged them to look at cinema critically and understand how multiple creative and technical components come together to create a compelling audiovisual narrative.

The students participated enthusiastically and shared that the film offered them fresh insights into narrative techniques and audiovisual coordination. The screening also encouraged them to examine how contemporary cinema can connect younger audiences with mythological literature, cultural stories and traditional themes, demonstrating how heritage narratives can be presented through modern filmmaking approaches.

The initiative reflected ACFA’s emphasis on keeping professional education aligned with developments in the creative industries. By combining classroom learning, industry experience and critical film analysis, the department provided students with a broader understanding of the opportunities and expectations within multimedia and sound technology.

Dr. Dhingra appreciated the efforts of Mr. Ankiit, Ms. Anjali and Mr. Sanjeev from the Multimedia Department and encouraged them to continue organising initiatives that expose students to evolving industry practices and emerging creative possibilities.

The achievement of Kushal and Manitraj, along with the educational screening, reaffirmed ACFA’s commitment to learning by doing and preparing students to confidently navigate the dynamic world of media, multimedia and filmmaking.