Resignation from FTII a Personal Matter: Tom Alter

Students at FTII claimed there was a heated discussion between Tom Alter and the student body in May.

Tom Alter had joined FTII as the HOD of the Acting Department in 2014. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

Veteran theatre artist and actor Tom Alter resigned from his position as the head of the Acting Department of Pune’s Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), reported The Indian Express.

The FTII administration maintains that the reason for the resignation is Alter’s busy schedule which does not leave him sufficient time for academic activities at the institute.

Yes, it’s true that he (Alter) has resigned. I can only tell you what he has said in his resignation email. He said he had lot of other commitments and hence, was not able to find time for the academic activities. I don’t want to go into the background and trading of allegations.

Bhupendra Kainthola, Director of FTII

However, FTII students claimed that there had been a heated exchange between Alter and the students on 23 May, following which he had mentioned resignation.

A second-year acting student at FTII spoke to The Indian Express and said:

He has dictatorial ways and refused to listen to anyone...For the last three months, he refused to engage with us despite many requests.

Dewas Dixit

Tom Alter had joined FTII as the Head of Department of the Acting Department in 2014.

When contacted for a comment, he responded saying,

It is entirely a personal affair.