Anupam Kher to set up acting school in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Feb 28 (UNI) Renowned actor Anupam Kher today entered into an agreement with Chandigarh administration for setting up and running an acting institute in the city.

An MoU was signed between Actor Prepares (AP), an organisation set up by Anupam Kher, and Society for Tourism and Entertainment Promotion in Chandigarh (STEPS) under the aegis of Department of Tourism, Chandigarh.

Talking to mediapersons here, Mr Kher said Chandigarh and its adjoining states of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir had immense talent and the people of the region would not have to go to Mumbai now to learn acting.

Mr Kher said the school would be of international standard and some teachers would come from Mumbai and abroad. It would also run certain other related projects and a casting agency.

''Marketing oneself is also important and we will teach the students how to market themselves in the film and TV industry'', added Mr Kher.

Getting nostalgic, Mr Kher said he was himself a product of Chandigarh. ''It is a very emotional moment for me.'' He said he started his journey from Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh and now it was time to pay back.

Director Tourism and STEPS CEO Vivek Atray said the institute, to be named Chandigarh Acting Institute (CAI), would be located at the premises of the Central Crafts Institute, Sector 11.

Acting course would be of one-and-a-half years duration and and likely to start from May 1 this year. The course will have semester system.

The fee structure would be mutually decided from time to time by STEPS and AP, keeping in view the prevailing trends.

Up to 15 per cent of the students of CAI, belonging to economically weaker sections, would be given fee concession.

AP would be responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the CAI including all courses, training programmes, faculty and all necessary technical or training inputs.

As per the agreement, STEPS would provide space, equipment and other logistical support to CAI.

UNI