Man of many roles has no time for NSD part

Critics and Kher-baiters at the NSD campus — the loudest is the institute’s director — say the actor’s overarching commitment to Bollywood hasn’t given him time to warm the theatre world’s hot-seat. Director Devendra Raj Ankur asks: ‘‘How much time does he have? He’ll have to make time for the NSD, like Naseeruddin Shah who devotes one month in a year to teach here. Shah has been doing this for 10 years without any fees.’’ Ankur had gone on record right after Kher’s appointment to express his displeasure.

The chairman’s post is honorary, but it’s Kher’s post-selection publicity blitz that has raised the hackles of NSD bosses. Kher, a 1978 NSD alumnus, had spewed dialogues which must have pleased any theatrewallah: The place needs to be overhauled. NSD lacks the vision it had under Ebrahim Alkazi. The curriculum has to be re-drawn. I will rope in Om Puri, Mani Ratnam, Yash Chopra and Govinda.

Other buzzwords were flung around: A consortium of writers will be invited here from India and abroad. Building confidence among students. Introduce theatre in school curriculum. Donations — which the government-funded NSD frowns on. ‘‘We’re still waiting for Kher to bring all those people from the industry to teach at NSD,’’ sneers Ankur. And he hasn’t convened a single writers’ workshop till date, add NSD sources.

Ex-NSD director Ram Gopal Bajaj, who was a contender for the chairman’s post last year, points out: ‘‘As chairman, it’s Kher’s right to say all that he has been saying. But if you have ideas, come and implement them.’’ Or else, ‘‘if he has the resources, Kher should start his own drama school instead of producing films.’’

Theatreperson M.K. Raina, who starts by saying he’s friends with Kher, also has harsh words for the actor-director. ‘‘Kher is so much junior and doesn’t compare to the former NSD bosses. When he was made the chairman, he joked that ‘They’ve made me chairman because I’m famous’. It’s a tragedy that the NSD Chairman is shooting his mouth off in this fashion.’’

Far from being on the defensive, Kher admits he’s been busy but says it’s too early to judge his performance. ‘‘Change takes time in any institution. I’m regularly in touch with the director and the faculty, and I will be teaching at the NSD by the end of the year. I’d rather discuss my plans with the faculty than the media.’’

As chairman, Kher’s responsiblities include attending committee meetings and convocations and sitting in on interviews. Kher has attended both committee meetings held since his appointment. He also turned up for the NSD’s annual theatre festival called Jashn-e-Bachpan and the annual festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsav.

Feizal Alkazi, Ebrahim Alkazi’ son, defends his ‘‘good friend’’. ‘‘He’s talented and he can do a lot. People forget that theatre people who come back and devote time can make a difference.’’

When Kher does find time, there are a heap of problems waiting for him. NSD students point to lack of infrastructure in the Academics Department. And, to a lack of ‘job security’ after graduation.