Deepika Padukone has been appointed as the new chairperson of MAMI as a unanimous decision was taken during a board meeting of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star recently, a leading daily reports. For the 33-year-old actress, it is an absolute honour, she said, adding that it is a huge responsibility as well.

“It’s an absolute honour and a huge responsibility. I believe in MAMI’s vision and we are committed towards creating a community that cinema lovers and creators of a film passionate nation like ours truly deserve,” Deepika was quoted as saying by the daily.

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[caption id="attachment_195824" align="aligncenter" width="647"] File photo of Deepika Padukone[/caption]

The report states that Deepika’s commendable transformation as an actor in her tenure and her immense fan base along with her contribution in creating awareness about mental health played a significant role in this decision. Kiran Rao was the chairperson of MAMI before Deepika and had to step down from the position due to other work commitments and she said that she is “delighted” to welcome the Padmaavat actress on board.

“It has been my privilege and pleasure to work as part of the core team of MAMI, and after four years as Chairperson of the Academy, I am delighted to welcome one of India’s most loved film stars, Deepika Padukone as the new Chairperson. Deepika has been a supporter of the festival and part of our Board of Trustees, and is a person whose ethos and work I greatly admire. I am sure that under her leadership the Academy will become stronger and more robust in serving the cinema community. I look forward to supporting her in this journey and wish her all the very best,” Kiran Rao said.

[caption id="attachment_124860" align="aligncenter" width="647"] File photo of Kiran Rao[/caption]

Isha Ambani, Board of Trustees, MAMI, also said that she is “thrilled at Deepika’s appointment as Chairperson for Jio MAMI.” The board of trustees of MAMI, thus, comprises Co-chair Nita M. Ambani, Deepika Padukone, Kiran Rao, Anupama Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Kabir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj, Kaustubh Dhavse, Riteish Deshmukh, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Vikramaditya Motwane, Isha Ambani, Ajay Bijli, Rohan Sippy, Rana Daggubati, Anand Mahindra and Manish Mundra, as per the report.

The 21st edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star will commence on October 17 and will conclude on October 24.