THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Prem Kumar has been given the temporary charge of the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Prem Kumar was serving as the current vice chairman of the academy. It is the first time a person other than a film director has been appointed to the post.

Senior director Shaji N Karun's name was earlier considered for the post of Academy Chairman while WCC demanded Beena Paul be made the chairperson.