Actor Mukesh Khanna today said he has resigned as the chairperson of the Children's Film Society two months prior to the end of his term, alleging lack of support to take children's films to theatres and inadequate funding for the institution.
However, there was no clarity whether his resignation has been accepted by the information and broadcasting ministry, under which the film society acts as an autonomous body. No immediate reaction was available from the ministry.
“Yes, I have resigned. What I want to do, I am not able to do here. I want to take forward the Children’s Film Society and take films to theatres. We have 260 films but they are kept in shelves. They are sometimes shown in festivals or in schools. If they are not able to reach theatres, children will not be able to watch them.”Mukesh Khanna (As told to PTI over phone)
His three-year term was scheduled to end in April.
The actor is known for his portrayal in popular TV serial Shaktimaan. He made his debut on the small screen as Bhisham Pitamah in B R Chopra's Mahabharat.
Khanna said he had joined the society with the aim of producing children's films of such a quality that could be run in theatres.
According to him, the society at present gets Rs 10 crore annually from the ministry.
“There is lack of funds to produce such films...I have been fighting for the last two years for a higher allocation but did not succeed.”
Khanna said he had made eight films since taking over as the society chairman.
"I think I can do better by being outside rather than getting constrained by rules and regulations," he said.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)