Kher quits NSD post, plans own drama school

With 10 months to go for his tenure to end, actor Anupam Kher today resigned from the post of chairperson National School of Drama. Sending his resignation to Culture Minister Jaipal Reddy, who had asked him to step down from the post of chairperson Censor Board a few months ago, Kher said his resignation was prompted by his decision to start an acting school in Mumbai early next month.

Kher’s resignation had nothing of the melodrama that accompanied his exit from the Censor Board in August last year. Reddy had little choice in the decision after the Left had raised objections saying Kher was as a saffron appointee.

‘‘I did not want anyone to point out to a conflict of interest in my holding dual positions,’’ said Kher.

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Kher is contemplating a letter to Reddy apprising him what ails the premier school of drama in the country. ‘‘Everything is wrong with the functioning of the institute and it hurts me that I could do little for the school where I graduated from,’’ said Kher.

‘‘There are very few teachers and too many students and the entire policy of administration needs a fresh look,’’ he said, adding the entire syllabi needed a review.