Anupam Kher appointed new FTII chairman, replaces Gajendra Chauhan

 Versatile actor Anupam Kher as been appointed as Chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune aApart from Society President who also serves as Chairman of Governing Council, the Society has over a dozen members which are appointed by the Government. Their names are yet under wraps as the Ministry has not released a notification about the reconstitution of the society.nd will succeed Gajendra Chauhan whose tenure ended earlier this year.

Students at Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) on Wednesday said the government’s move to appoint Bollywood actor Anupam Kher as its chairperson was “crazy” and “another joke” after television actor Gajendra Chauhan’s appointment triggered massive protests in 2015. Students went on a 139-day strike and relentlessly criticised the government for appointing a man, who they claimed had neither ‘stature’ nor ‘vision’.

While the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) is yet to release a notification regarding re-constitution of the FTII Society, Kher confirmed his appointment by tweeting, “I feel deeply humbled & honoured to be apportioned (sic) as the Chairman of iconic FTII. I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities.”

The 62-year-old critically acclaimed actor also enjoys great proximity to the ruling dispensation with his wife Kirron Kher being a BJP MP from Chandigarh.

Kher has a long and varied experience in acting in films as well as theatre. Previously, Kher has headed the Censor Board and the National School of Drama.

“How can Kher head FTII when he is already running a private acting school?” Harishankar Nachimuthu, who headed one of its longest strike in the premier film institute’s history to oppose Chauhan’s appointment, asked.

He was referring to the Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares institute run by the national award winner.

Another FTII student said on the condition of anonymity that the Centre could have come up with other names.