Celebrated filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, 74, has been appointed president of the Society of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) which runs the prestigious film school in Pune, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
Kapur, who is known for films from the Indian superhero film ‘Mr India’ to ‘Bandit Queen’ based on the incidents in the life of Phoolan Devi and an acclaimed biopic about Queen Elizabeth, will serve until March 3. of 2023.
According to a person familiar with the events, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also appointed Kapur as chairman of the FTII governing council.
The term of the previous members of the society ended in March 2020. The other members of the governing council will be appointed soon, the person quoted above said.
Kapur will head the leading film school at a time when, like many other colleges and universities, he is also grappling with the challenges posed by Covid-19.
The FTII had previously declared the results of the entrance test and is planning the future course. Classes and online training courses have continued.
“Wherever it is difficult for students to attend classes, the institute has been posting the material on the website,” the person quoted above said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said: “Kapur, who has vast experience, will add more value to the Institute. I am sure that everyone will appreciate his appointment. “
“Shekhar Kapur, as a renowned filmmaker of international stature, is without a doubt an excellent choice. The FTII welcomes you as its President. A full circle has come from Dev Anand, who started his career working at Prabhat Studio on the FTII campus today, to his nephew Shekhar Kapur as FTII President, ”said Bhupendra Kainthola, FTII Director.
The previous head of the FTII was BP Singh, known for his role as a lead actor in the CID tele-serial. Singh was recently appointed by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) for its general assembly.
The Indian Film and Television Institute was established by the Center in 1960 on the premises of the former Prabhat Studios in Pune. He conducts various film-related courses, including acting, directing, sound recording, editing, and cinematography.
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