Even as the students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) agitating for the removal of TV actor-turned-BJP politico Gajendra Chauhan as the new FTII chairman take their fight to New Delhi, a query under the Right To Information Act has revealed that Mr. Chauhan was picked for the job on the basis of a one-paragraph resume.
The disclosure lends further credence to the allegation that the appointments of the new chairman and certain members of the FTII Governing Council lacked transparency.
“Gajendra Chauhan is an actor who is best known for his portrayal of the eldest Pandava ‘Yudhishthira’ in the ‘Mahabharat’ series aired on Doordarshan. He has worked in around 150 movies and over 600 TV serials,” reads a terse file noting from the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry.
The 281-page record provided by the Ministry includes detailed resumes of other stalwarts including actors Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Rajinikant and directors Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Jahnu Baruah, Rajkumar Hirani and Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who were proposed for the post of FTII chairman. However, Mr. Chauhan’s qualification was a one-paragraph summary.
“The RTI revelation only serves to underscore what a mediocrity Chauhan is when weighed against such legends,” said an FTII student, speaking from Delhi.
FTII Limbo
Gajendra Chauhan, an actor-turned-politician, was appointed as the chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) on June 9, 2015. His appointment triggered an >indefinite strike by students of the institute on June 12.
Who is Chauhan?
Mr. Chauhan is best known as 'Yudhisthira' in the Mahabharata TV series aired on television in 1988-90. He has been associated with BJP for over two decades but formally joined the party in 2004.
Why protest?
Students of FTII have questioned Mr. Chauhan's body of work and "creative credentials." The students doubt if Mr. Chauhan can fit in the shoes of predecessors like R.K. Laxman, Syam Benegal, Girish Karnad and U.R. Ananthamurthy.
Political vendetta?
Students claim that Mr. Chauhan's appointment is an attempt of the ruling party to foist its right-wing agenda upon the Institute.
Supporters
Besides, prominent film personalities, All India Students' Association (AISA), the Kolkata-based Satyajit Ray Film Institute, and students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) are all coming out strongly in support of the striking students.
If they don't want you, they don't want you. Pushing for the chairmanship is getting you no where. Let self pride play a role and retire
- >Rishi Kapoor
FTII needs to be in safe hands. Students need somebody who they can trust and look up to. It's their future which is at stake here.
>- Rajkumar Rao
This is something we should be talking about and by this we will clearly know that it is a mistake and that he has no credentials...If I would have been in place of Chauhan and I would have seen that my fraternity does not want me, I would have withdrawn.
>- Amol Palekar
Don't think what the students are asking for is illogical, don't think they are asking for the moon. They are just asking for a fair chance, a fair opportunity, correct faculty, correct syllabus.
- Ranbir Kapoor
I have neither been approached by students nor by authorities. But being an alumnus of this institute to which I owe my film career, I am more than willing to step in and sort out matters if given the chance to do so.
- >Shatrughan Sinha
Prominent chairmen
Anwar Jamal Kidwai (1974 - 1977)
First chairman, founder of Mass Communication Research centre at Jamia Millia Islamia.
>R.K. Laxman (1977- 1980)
Legendary cartoonist, Padma Bhushan, Vibhushan. Known for creating the character "Common Man".
> Shyam Benegal (1981 - 1983) (1989 - 1992)
Known for pioneering parallel cinema. Recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award among others.
> Mahesh Bhatt (1995- 1998)
Award-winning director, screenwriter, producer in mainstream Hindi cinema.
>U.R. Ananthamurthy (2005-2008) (2008-2011)
Eminent author, Padma Bhushan. Pioneered Navya movement in Kannada language.