Top Acting Schools in India for Aspiring Bollywood Talent

A career in the glamour industry, particularly in Bollywood, is a dream for many. From legendary actors like Dilip Kumar, Madhu Bala, Amitabh Bachchan, and Shah Rukh Khan, aspiring actors in India aspire to join this vibrant and thriving industry. The Indian film industry, popularly known as Bollywood, has seen a significant growth in terms of job opportunities, glamour, and pay scales. According to the 'Statistics Portal', the value of the film industry in 2016 stood at Rs.142.3 billion and is expected to reach Rs.206.6 billion by 2021.

POPULAR INSTITUTIONS YOU SHOULD EXPLORE THIS YEAR

Given the immense opportunities and demand, it's crucial to possess the right skills and contacts to make a mark in this industry. Enrolling in a good acting school is the best way to hone your craft. This article presents a list of the top 10 colleges/institutes where you can sharpen your skill as an actor. Choose one based on your skill-set and future aspirations.

FILM AND TELEVISION INSTITUTE OF INDIA (FTII), PUNE

The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), established in 1960 on the erstwhile Prabhat Studio premises at Pune, is a pioneer in quality Indian cinema. Prabhat Studio, now a heritage site declared by the Pune Municipal Corporation, continues to be used by students to this day. The Institute was renamed in 1971, and the official website mentions that the Television Wing, earlier located at Mandi House, New Delhi, was shifted to Pune in the early seventies, bringing together training in film and television under a common roof.

FTII is a member of CILECT, International Liaison Centre of Schools of Cinema and Television, which is an organization of the world's leading schools of film and television.

Courses Offered at Film and Television Institute of India:

FTII offers 112 seats in the following programmes:

Acting Cinematography Direcion Editing Production Scriptwriting Sound VFX Dance Advertising Film Making Digital Photography and Modelling

BARRY JOHN ACTING STUDIO, MUMBAI

Established in 1999 in Film City, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Barry John Acting Studio (BJAS) operates under the Theatre in Education Trust, a non-profit association. In 2002, the course moved to a studio in Saidulajab, Saket, New Delhi. As described by the official site, 'By request of students, casting directors, and producers, Barry John and Sanjay Sujitabh the Directors decided to move to Mumbai, where the school was renamed Barry John Acting Studio.'

NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA (NSD), NEW DELHI

The National School of Drama (NSD) was set up by the Sangeet Natak Akademi as one of its constituent units in 1959. In 1975, it became an independent entity and was registered as an autonomous organization under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, fully financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. At NSD, part of the training involves the production of plays, which are then performed before the public.

Courses Offered at National School of Drama:

NSD offers a Diploma in Dramatic Arts along with the following spheres:

Acting Dramatics Scenic Design Costumes Make-up Lighting Sound Props Stage Management

INSTITUTE OF CREATIVE EXCELLENCE (ICE), MUMBAI

The Institute of Creative Excellence (ICE), established in 2010 by Balaji Telefilms, offers courses related to the Media and Entertainment industry including Acting, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Production, Scriptwriting, Sound, VFX, Dance, Ad Film Making, Digital Photography, and Modelling. The official website informs that ICE incorporates the latest training methodology of Blended Learning, which incorporates elements of Instructor-led Training (ILT), Computer-based Training (CBT), and Web-based Training (WBT).