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
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.