Anupam Kher resigns as FTII chairperson citing time constraints

Actor Anupam Kher has resigned as chairman of the government-run Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), located in Pune. Kher had taken over as FTII chairman in October last year. 

Kher tweeted his resignation letter, addressed to the information and broadcasting minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Kher cited his commitments in the USA and the resulting time constraints as the reason for his resignation. 

“It has been an honour, a privilege & a great learning experience to be the Chairman of the prestigious @FTIIOfficial. But because of my international assignments, I won’t have much time to devote at the institute. Hence decided to send my resignation. Thank you. @Ra_THORe,” Kher tweeted 

“This decision has not come without considerable thought of the responsibilities expected of me vis-a-vis the time I have at my disposal to execute them. At the time, when I was officially approached by the former I&B minister Smriti Irani to be appointed as the chairman. I did share with her that I was due to be stationed in the US for nearly six months for an international TV show. The latest news is now that the show has been given a further extension of four months. This translates into me being stationed in the US for nearly nine months between 2018 and 2019, and then for a similar period for a minimum of three years more. Given this assignment it would not be fair to the students and managerial team, for me to hold a position of such responsibility and accountability without being actively involved in the operations,” Kher wrote in his resignation letter.

The veteran actor also requested the I&B ministry to scout for someone to take over from him during his notice period. 

In his subsequent tweet, Kher thanked the students, faculty and the staff for their support. 

“Thank you staff, teachers & students of @FTIIOfficial for your support & appreciation during my tenure as chairman. As an individual, you can always reach out to me. We have constituted a very learned & capable governing body & academic society who will guide you at their best,” he wrote. 

The veteran actor has been in the United States for the last few months where he is shooting the NBC TV show New Amsterdam. Kher plays the character of Dr Vijay Kapoor in the show. 

Kher's year-long tenure had been largely smooth until recently when a student accused FTII director Bhupendra Kainthola of creating a hostile work environment obsructing her work in the institute following a sexual harrassment compaint on campus. Kainthola had issued a statement denying all the allegations. Kher has so far not commented on the issue.

Bhupendra Kainthola, FTII director, said: "It was a privilege to have worked with Anupam Kher over the past one year, in his capacity as chairman FTII. He visited the campus several times and had an empathetic ear for the concerns and issues of the institute."

"FTII wishes him all the very best in his new endeavour and expresses gratitude to him for his leadership, support and guidance," he added.