Suresh Gopi unlikely to take over as President of Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute: Sources

Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam actor-politician Suresh Gopi, who has been nominated as the president of Kolkata-based Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and chairman of its governing council, is unlikely to take over the post, sources close to the actor said. Apparently, the actor came to know about the appointment only through television and expressed displeasure over not being informed about the nomination earlier. 

It is learnt that Suresh Gopi is likely to inform the BJP central leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his discontent in person. The actor will be arriving in New Delhi in the coming days as part of a film’s shooting. He is then expected to meet Union Minister Amit Shah and the prime minister, reports said. 

Earlier, speculations were rife over Suresh Gopi contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha poll from Thrissur. The current nomination came amid the actor actively taking part in activities, including the organisation of a padayatra against Karuvannur bank fraud on October 2, in Thrissur. 

As the appointment is for a period of three years, Suresh Gopi will not be able to contest the next Lok Sabha poll. On account of this, many netizens, who support the actor, have questioned the nomination on social media. There are allegations stating that the nomination was the result of an ongoing rift within the party. 

Meanwhile, Suresh Gopi has not yet made any public comments on the matter. The news of his nomination was announced by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on X (previously Twitter). 

"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 minister wrote.