In an age of labels and quick fix terms that stick in the mind — the WhatsApp and SMS lingo of today — it is being termed as ‘awards wapsi’, a spin off from the ‘ghar wapsi’ programmes.

The wapsi movement is closer to home now than ever. Even as you read this, there is debate and discussion about 10 filmmakers, including Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardhan, returning their national awards in support of the FTII students. Overall though, it is also a validation of growing disenchantment with the closing of doors and minds. The filmmakers are talking about a culture of fear, repression and intimidation shrinking the creative canvas.