Kher to head FTII, STUDENTS OBJECT

- Rohan Agarwal (rohannvrs@gmail.com)

Ace actor and Anupam Kher has been appointed as the chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), after former chairman Gajendra Chauhan’s tenure ended in March this year . Kher, 62, an award-winning actor, is seen as an die heart Modi supporter and his wife and actor, Kirron Kher, is also a BJP MP from Chandigarh.

Anupam Kher is a recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, along many national and international awards. The Saransh actor has acted in over 500 films throughut his career. 

‘Will Be A Learning Experience To Head FTII’- Anupam Kher

Alumnus of National School of Drama Kher, has been chairman of of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) . He has also headed the national school of drama.

“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,” Kher said in a message posted on Twitter.

However, Kher’s appointment may not have come as happy news for the students bosdy of FTII as, Rohit Kumar, general secretary of the FTII students’ body, said while Kher’s professional credentials cannot be questioned, they do not see any difference between his appointment and that of Chauhan, as the primary qualification seems to be their proximity to BJP or RSS. He also pointed out that 

There’s a possible “conflict of interest”, as Kher runs his own acting school.

The tenure of the previous FTII Society headed by Chauhan ended on March 3. Chauhan, who was appointed in June 2015 for a three-year term with retrospective effect from March 2014, could assume the office only in January 2016 due to vociferous protests by the students. Kher was among those who criticised Chauhan’s appointment, arguing that FTII needed somebody “well-qualified and with a great body of work” and that Chauhan was not qualified either as producer, director or an actor for the job.

Last month, Chauhan had hit back at Kher, claiming that FTII had seen “improvement in some aspects” during his tenure. “The CAG report is out appreciating work done at FTII during my chairmanship. What is your take now Mr Kher @AnupamPkher?,” Chauhan had tweeted on September 17.