An actor and former MP Paresh Rawal was named chairperson of the governing council of National School of Drama on Thursday. Accepting charge after President Ram Nath Kovind formalised his appointment, the actor said the assignment would be “challenging but fun”. Culture minister Prahlad Singh Patel tweeted: “Eminent artist @SirPareshRawal has been appointed as the chairman of NSD by the President of India. Artists and students of the country will benefit from his talent.” Rawal will head the institute for four years. He replaces playwright Ratan Thiyam whose tenure ended in August 2017. The post had been vacant since. The theatre fraternity in Mumbai welcomed the announcement. Noted writer Javed Siddiqi of `Tumhari Amrita` fame said that he is pleased with Paresh`s appointment for two reasons. Firstly, he has a firm background in theatre and knows the trials students face after graduating from the institute when they seek a foothold in Mumbai. He is confident Rawal can guide them well and solve their problems. The second reason he is hopeful is that Rawal can perhaps set up branches nationwide, or affiliate with institutes in other cities, to groom talent.