Anupam Kher appointed chairman of FTII; Twitterati greet 'excellent change', congratulate actor

Entertainment FP StaffOct, 11 2017 15:24:20 IST

Anupam Kher has replaced Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). The famed institute boasts of a long list of notable alumni — Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to name a few.

Anupam Kher. Image from PTI.

A veteran actor who has appeared in over 500 films, Kher runs an acting school as well. People associated with the entertainment industry welcomed the decision on Twitter, with many terming the development a 'sign of change'.

Kher is not new to such a huge responsibility as he has also chaired the Central Board of Film Certification and National School of Drama previously.

His predecessor's two year stint which came to an end in March 2017, as per CNN News 18, saw a 139-day-long protest by the students of the institute. The protest was staged against the selection of Chauhan, who students thought lacked the aptitude to head an institute of such great repute. Chauhan's claim to fame was playing Yudhisthir on the small screen adaptation of the Mahabharata.

Here's how Twitterati reacted to the news:

Excellent change. @AnupamPkher finally replaces Gajendra Chauhan or whatever his name is as FTII Chairman. Finally, the Govt is listening to us!
— Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) October 11, 2017

Congratulations Shri @AnupamPkher ji, for being appointed as @FTIIOfficial chairman. — Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) October 11, 2017

.@AnupamPkher Congratulations on being appointed chairman of @FTIIOfficial I'm confident, you will surely provide meaningful leadership.
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) October 11, 2017