Pune, April 9: After pioneering many initiatives in the world of academics, city based Indira Group of Institutes is all set to add yet another first to its credit. This time by joining hands with Jackie Shroff, one of the most admired actors from Bollywood to start the first of its kind, dedicated acting school in Pune.

Shree Chanakya Education Society’s Indira School of Communication - Acting Academy in association with Jackie Shroff will commence its operations from July 2012 to create a much needed platform for budding actors, who wish to make their career as actors in the entertainment industry.

This was announced by Dr. Tarita Shankar, Chairperson of the Indira Group of Institutes during a Press Conference held in the city today. Noted actor Jackie Shroff, a partner in this initiative, Indira Group Director Chetan Wakalkar, award winning Actor – Director Anant Mahadevan, Theatre Director Ranjit Kapoor and Director of Indira School of Communication Asmita Dani were also present on the occasion.

Jackie Shroff will play the lead role of being a mentor, program sculptor and faculty in this initiative. Whereas, Anant Mahadevan, Actor Manoj Joshi and Ranjit Kapoor, famous theatre Director, Sangeet Natak Academy awardee, who has written dialogues for movies like Jane Bhi Do Yaron, Khamosh, Lajja, Kabhi Ha Kabhi Na would be a part of the advisory council of the academy, who will help in setting up the curriculum and will guide the academy towards enhancing its performance on all parameters.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Tarita Shankar said, “We are indeed happy to partner with none other than Jackie Shroff in this venture, which will attempt to bridge the gap that exists for dedicated and best-in-class acting schools in India. Where, most of the training institutes are found to have conducting courses in performing arts and acting is just a part of it. Moreover, the duration of the acting courses has also found to have been very short.”

“Our focus will be a 6 months long duration Diploma Course with a batch size of around 60 students to impart only the best in acting. This is possible with us due to perfect blend of academic expertise of Indira and the acting acumen of Film and TV personalities associated with this initiative”, she added.

The campus of this Shree Chanakya Education Society’s Indira School of Communications - Acting Academy shall be at Indira’s Group’s Wakad Campus on Bangalore – Mumbai Highway. Admissions to this Diploma Course in acting would start from April 10th and the course will start from July 2012.

Anyone, who is above 18 years of age and has passed 12th standard is eligible to apply for the course. Every applicant will have to go through a selection procedure, which comprises of an interview and audition.

Students of the academy will get an opportunity to act in the plays and the short film produced by the academy. Their talent will be showcased to the eminent Directors and Producers through a play performance.