New Delhi, September 10
Veteran actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal was named president of the National School of Drama (NSD), India’s leading theater institute that has trained actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Irrfan Khan, on Thursday.
The position was vacant since 2017.
Renowned artist Paresh Rawal has been appointed president of the National Drama School by Rashtrapati Bhavan. I am happy that students and artists can take advantage of their talents. I congratulate him ”, said on Twitter the Minister of Culture of the Union, Prahlad Patel.
Rawal, 65, who comes with years of experience in both film and theater, told PTI that he is looking forward to the assignment.
“It will be challenging but fun. I will do my best because this is a field that I know very well. I have 48 years of practical experience doing theater all over the world. I have some ideas. I will see NSD ‘ka zyada se zyada naam roshan ho’ (NSD gets more name and fame), ”said the actor.
The National Film Award-winning actor, who began his journey in Gujarati theater in 1972 and has been part of such plays as “Vairee,” “Jooth Bole Kauva Kaate,” and “Kishan v / s Kanhaiya,” said his vision is reaching more people through quality theater.
“We must create new theater spaces… They must be everywhere. It is important to advance quality theater and I want to work in that direction. I come from a theatrical experience, so I understand the practical difficulties, which is an advantage, ”he added.
Rawal, who had represented the Ahmedabad East constituency in Lok Sabha, has been appointed head of the NSD for four years, said Nitin Tripathi, media adviser to the Ministry of Culture.
Delhi-based NSD said it looks forward to your guidance.
“We are pleased to report that the Honorable President of India @rashtrapatibhvn has appointed the renowned actor and Padma Shri @sirpareshrawal as President of @nds_india,” read the tweet from the institute’s official Twitter name.
He added that he “welcomes the legend” that would guide the institute to new heights.
Theater veteran Ratan Thiyam was president of NSD from 2013 to 2017. Arjun Deo Charan had been serving as acting president ever since.
Anupam Kher, a contemporary of Rawal, served as NSD president from 2001 to 2004. His tenure was followed by theater veteran Amal Allana, who led the institute from 2005 to 2013.
Rawal is a veteran Hindi film star and is known for such films as “Voh Chhokri”, Vallabhbhai Patel’s biopic “Sardar”, “Andaz Apna Apna”, “Hera Pheri” and “OMG- Oh My God!”. PTI
