LUCKNOW’S THEATRE FRAT HAILS DECISION

LUCKNOW: The appointment of Anupam Kher, who has had a close connection with Lucknow, as the new chairman of the FTII was hailed by eminent theatre personalities in the state capital.

Former, director, Bhartendu Natya Akademi (BNA) Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha recalled his long association with the actor.

“After completing his course in National School of Drama, Kher took teaching assignment at the BNA in early 80s. He often used to visit my office (LIC) where I was working,” he said.

Kulshreshtha reminisced how they together acted in a play, Darwaze Khol Do for Doordarshan. “Kher also came to watch a play that I did to mark the silver jubilee of BNA in 2000,” he said.

Kher was also appointed the chairman of BNA in 2000.

Kulshreshtha added Kher will bring with him vast experience of national and international level art work and also be able to make a better road map for the institute.

Padma Shri Prof Raj Bisaria, founder director of BNA, said Kher’s appointment was a good move.

“I wish him best wishes,” said Bisaria, a doyen in theatre direction and the founder president of Theatre Arts Workshop. Besides Kher, Amrit Lal Nagar and Nadira Babbar have held the position of the chairman in the past.

Theatre students too expressed joy over Kher’s appointment. “In 2014, Kher visited the Akademi and what he taught us in an hour was more than what we were taught in the entire year,” said a student who didn’t want to be named.