Anupam Kher is the new FTII Chairman, succeeds Gajendra Chauhan

Anupam Kher also held the post of chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National School of Drama in India.

New Delhi: Actor Anupam Kher has been appointed as the new chairman of Film and Television Institute of India. He has replaced former television actor Gajendra Chauhan. 62-year-old Kher has acted in over 500 movies and is a well-known name in theatre too.

Kher was awarded Padma Shri in 2004 and Padma Bhushan in 2016. He has also held the post of chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National School of Drama in India. 

Reacting to his appointment, Kher tweeted: "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."

Chauhan's term as FTII Chairman was marred by controversy as students claimed he was not well qualified for the post and that his appointment was politically-motivated. Protests against his chairmanship went on for nearly 140 days. Despite protests, he refused to resign and stepped down only after his term ended in March 2017. "I have not been sacked, my term ended in March," Chauhan had then said.

Elated at his appointment, his wife and BJP MP Kirron Kher said that serving as the chairman of FTII is a challenging job adding that her husband loves working with students. "He's a great teacher and an extremely talented person," she said. 

Born in Shimla on March 7, 1955, Kher grew up in a Pandit family. He made his Bollywood debut in 1971 in the film Tiger Sixteen. During his extremely successful career, he has starred in a number of films including - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, A Wednesday, Special 26, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Mohabbatein, Ram Lakhan, Darr, Bride and Prejudice, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, and the recent Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.

After the announcement, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted: "Heartiest congratulations to Anupam Kher for being appointed as the Chairman of FTII." Filmmaker Pritish Nandy called it an "excellent change" at FTII. "Finally, the government is listening to us." Actor Kabir Bedi showed confidence in Anupam saying he "would do wonders" in his new role.