(Image source from: Nyooz.com)

Actor Anupam Kher Replaces Gajendra Chauhan As New FTII Chairman:- Bollywood actor Anupam Kher has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. He will succeed former television actor Gajendra Chauhan.

Following several controversies, the post remained vacant for at least seven months, after Chauhan demitted office in March this year. His appointment as FTII chairman was opposed by students, who claimed that he was not fit for the job and got the position for being a BJP leader.

To oppose his appointment, they went on an indefinite strike and the agitation ended after 139 days. Several political leaders had also visited FTII campus in Pune, during the politically charged agitation by the students.

Funded by the Central Government, the FTII is an autonomous institute under the Information & Broadcasting Ministry. The institute, since its inception in 1960, has become India’s premier film and television institute. The technicians, actors and directors in the film and television industry are part of the alumni. In the past, the FTII was headed by legendary film personalities including Shyam Benegal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Saeed Mirza, Mahesh Bhatt, Mrinal Sen, Vinod Khanna and Girish Karnad. Many popular film personalities have come out of FTII, including Naseeruddin Shah, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Shatrughan Sinha, Raza Murad, Resul Pookutty and the late Smita Patil and Om Puri.

Anupam Kher, who has been part of the theatre circles, has appeared in more than 500 films. He has also been part of acclaimed international films such as the 2002 Golden Globe nominated Bend It Like Beckham, Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution, and the 2013 Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook. Earlier, Kher held the post of chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National School of Drama. ​

In 2004, Kher had received Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan in 2016.

(Video Source: Republic World)

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