Paresh Rawal is NSD chairperson

New Delhi, September 10

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Veteran actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal was today appointed chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD), the country’s premier theatre institute that has trained actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Irrfan Khan. The post was vacant since 2017.

“I am glad that students and artistes will be able to take advantage of Rawal’s talent. I congratulate him,” Union Culture Minister Prahlad Patel said on Twitter.

Rawal (65), who comes with years of experience in both cinema and theatre, said he is looking forward to the assignment.

“It will be challenging, but fun. I will do my best because this is a field I know very well. I have practical experience of 48 years of doing theatre world over. I have some ideas. I will see that NSD ‘ka zyada se zyada naam roshan ho’ (NSD gets more name and fame),” the actor said.

The National Film award-winning actor, who started his journey in Gujarati theatre in 1972 and has been a part of plays such as “Vairee”, “Jooth Bole Kauva Kaate” and “Kishan v/s Kanhaiya”, said his vision was to reach out to more people through quality theatre.

“We must create new theatre spaces… They should be everywhere. It is important to take quality theatre forward and I want to work in that direction. I come from a theatre background so I understand the practical difficulties, which is an advantage,” he added.

“Rawal has been appointed as NSD chief for four years,” said Nitin Tripathi, adviser, media, Ministry of Culture. — PTI