Suresh Gopi nominated president of Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute

In February, Gopi drew widespread criticism from netizens over his controversial remarks against non-believers at a temple function in Ernakulam district on the occasion of Shivaratri.

Malayalam actor-politician Suresh Gopi was on Thursday nominated as the president of Kolkata-based Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) and chairman of its governing council.

Union minister Anurag Thakur shared the news on microblogging site X and congratulated the actor.

''Many congratulations to veteran film actor @TheSureshGopi ji on being nominated the President of the @srfti_official society & chairman of the governing council of @srfti_official for a period of 3 years,'' the I&B minister wrote.

Thakur said Gopi's ''vast experience & cinematic brilliance'' will enrich the esteemed institute. ''I wish you a fruitful tenure,'' he added in his post. Gopi, a National Award-winning actor known for films such as ''Kaliyattam'', ''Manichitrathazhu'', ''Commissioner'', and ''Paappan'', is a former Rajya Sabha MP from the BJP. In February, Gopi drew widespread criticism from netizens over his controversial remarks against non-believers at a temple function in Ernakulam district on the occasion of Shivaratri.