Resul Pookutty is new chairperson of Kerala State Chalachithra Academy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty took charge as the chairman of the Chalachitra Academy in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Resul Pookutty expressed happiness over assuming office, which he said was previously occupied by veterans he considered gurus. Resul said that he would not see his position as a gateway towards power. He also gave all credit to the Kerala Film Academy behind his growth from a countryside boy to an Academy Award winner. Actor Premkumar, who was temporarily in charge as the Chalachithra Academy chairman, did not attend the ceremony.

Actress Cuckoo Parameswaran is the new vice-chairperson. The new governing body consists of 26 members, including Amal Neerad, Shyam Pushkaran, Nikhila Vimal, Sithara Krishnakumar, Sudhir Karamana and B Ragesh. Resul Pookutty will fill the void left by director Ranjith. The new governing body was selected amidst the State Film Awards announcement, which is due on Monday. The IFFK is also set to take place in December.

Ranjith resigned as the chairman of the academy following sexual allegations from an actress who had previously attended the audition for his film.