New Delhi: Anupam Kher, who has acted in over 500 movies and is a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was on Wednesdaynamed Chairman of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.
The film industry hailed the move. Anupam himself said he will give his best to the role.
Anupam, 62, husband of actress-and-BJP MP Kirron Kher, will succeed the controversial Gajendra Chauhan, whose appointment in 2014 had triggered widespread student protests.
“I feel deeply humbled and honoured to be apportioned as the Chairman of iconic FTII. I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities,” Anupam tweeted.
Kirron Kher told Times NOW that Anupam was the right choice to head the FTII, which provides training in acting, direction and other technical aspects of film making in a country which is one of the largest producers of movies.
“My husband is a very fine actor. He has been in the film industry for so many years. He is very capable of (being FTII head).
“He has been teaching acting for so long. He is the only person who earlier headed CBFC, then National School of Drama and now has been appointed Chairman of FTII.”
Anupam, who began his acting career with “Saaransh” in 1984, also has his own acting institute Actor Prepares.
Apart from featuring in Hindi films like “Karma”, “Daddy”, “Lamhe”, “Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, “Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara”, “A Wednesday” and “Baby”, the National Award-winner has dabbled in international projects like “Bend It Like Beckham”, “Bride and Prejudice”, “Speedy Singhs”, “The Mistress of Spices”, “Lust, Caution” and the Academy Award winning “Silver Linings Playbook”.
He was honoured with Padma Shri in 2004 and with Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution to the field of arts.
His appointment on Wednesday was welcomed by the film fraternity with open arms.
