NFDC gets new face: Malayalam actor-politician G Krishnakumar to lead National Film Development Corporation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant move for the Indian film industry, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the appointment of actor and politician G. Krishnakumar as the part-time Chairman of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The President of India officially cleared the appointment, which also designates Krishnakumar as a non-official director of the corporation. According to the official communiqué, his tenure will span a period of three years.

Krishnakumar’s journey to the helm of the NFDC is a storied one. He first became a familiar face in Kerala households as a news anchor for Doordarshan, a role he used as a springboard into the world of television serials.

His transition to the big screen came in 1994 with the hit Malayalam film Kashmiram. Over the following decades, he established himself as a versatile performer, balancing a prolific career in both Malayalam cinema and popular TV dramas.

Beyond his artistic contributions, Krishnakumar has been an active figure in Kerala's political landscape:

• February 2021: He officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), quickly becoming one of the party’s most prominent faces in the state.
• 2021 Assembly Elections: He contested from the high-stakes Thiruvananthapuram constituency.
• National Role: His appointment to the NFDC is seen as a strategic move to integrate experienced industry voices into national film policy and development.

As Chairman, Krishnakumar will oversee the NFDC’s efforts to encourage the cinema movement in India. The NFDC funds and produces films promoting Indian culture, organises the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, and manages the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) to restore and preserve India's cinematic heritage. These efforts are central to promoting Indian cinema globally and safeguarding its legacy.