Anupam Kher resigns as Film and Television Institute of India Chairman citing ‘busy schedule’

National Award winner and veteran actor Anupam Kher resigned as the chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India on Wednesday.

Kher cited ‘busy schedule’ for the decision. ‘It has been an honour, a privilege & a great learning experience to be the Chairman of the prestigious FTII.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,’ Kher said on Twitter. He also posted his resignation letter, which was addressed to Information and Broadcasting minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

Kher had succeeded Gajendra Chauhan on October 11 last year. Chauhan’s appointment had sparked outrage among students of India’s premiere film institute.

After his appointment as FTII director, Kher had also paid a surprise visit to the institute. The veteran actor recalled, “I came here as a student 40 years ago and today as well. I came here unannounced since I wanted to come as a student only. The first thing I wanted to do was to have a chat with the students and we did have a good conversation.” Kher had interacted with some students of the 2016 batch who were protesting over some academic issues.

The actor had stressed on the fact that students come in an organization to learn and hence solving their issues is of utmost importance. “I want to start my term on an optimistic note and also on a note that I want to do things,” he said.

The 63-year-old, best remembered for his stellar performances in ‘Daddy’, ‘Saransh’, has held the post of chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National School of Drama.

Kher was awarded Padma Shri in 2004 and Padma Bhushan last year.

Kher’s predecessor Gajendra Chauhan’s 2-year term ended in March last year.

The TV actor and BJP member was named for the post of Chairman in June 2015.

However, his appointment had sparked a controversy and the students of FTII had gone on a strike for more than four months. The actor finally took charge as Chairman of the premiere institute in Pune on January 7, 2016, while the police detained protesters calling him a ‘political appointee’.

Notwithstanding with all the controversies, Chauhan had said that he was happy with what he had achieved. Some of major ‘achievements’ included reintroducing campus discipline, getting approval for converting the post-graduate diploma into a master’s degree, passing the budget to improve the institute’s infrastructure, among other things.