Anupam Kher, film actor and husband of BJP MP Kirron Kher, has been appointed as the new chief of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Kher's appointment comes after controversial chairman Gajendra Chauhan's term ended in March.
Reacting to his appointment, Kher said that he will perform his duties to the best of his abilities.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Kher has acted in more than 500 films, and has won many national and international awards. He’s also a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution in the field of cinema and arts, it said.
Kher's predecessor Chauhan was appointed as FTII chairman on June 9, 2015. Many FTII students had protested against his appointment, claiming that Chauhan was unfit for the job.
Anupam Kher is a graduate (1978 batch) from Delhi's National School of Drama (NSD). He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution in the field of cinema and arts.
Kher has previously served as chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and was the director of the National School of Drama from 2001 to 2004.
