6 celebrities who joined the chorus against FTII Chairman Gajendra Chauhan’s removal

The FTII controversy is getting heated up as more and more Bollywood celebrities are coming forward and debating on the issue, whether Gajendra Chauhan possesses the skill to lead the prestigious institute. Apart from film-makers Kundan Shah, Aziz Mirza and Vivek Agnihotri, here are six other Bollywood celebrities who have voiced their strong reservations against Chauhan’s appointment as the FTII chief. Take a look!

Ranbir Kapoor: The actor backed Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students, who are protesting against Chauhan’s appointment. In a video posted on YouTube by the FTII student body, Ranbir said that "students want to look up to someone with a body of work they can aspire to". The Bombay Velvet actor said that "the appointment of the new chairman has gone against their wishes". "Don't think what the students are asking is illogical, don't think they are asking for the moon. They are just asking for correct faculty, correct syllabus," said the 32-year-old actor. He won two consecutive Filmfare Best Actor awards for Rockstar in 2011 and Barfi in 2012.

Rajkummar Rao: The National Award-winning actor has also criticised Chauhan’s appointment as the chairman, saying the premier institute needs to be in “safe hands”. The 30-year-old actor has said students need a better chief than Chauhan. The FTII alumnus said on Twitter: “#FTII needs to be in safe hands. Students need somebody who they can trust and look up to. It is their future which is at stake here.” Rao was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for the 2013 biographical film Shahid.

Rishi Kapoor: The Bollywood actor has advised Chauhan to resign. He selected microblogging site Twitter to be his mouthpiece after his son, actor Ranbir Kapooor extended support to FTII students who are protesting against Chauhan’s appointment. Rishi Kapoor, who got the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, said: “Advice. After all the protests and controversy, Gajendra Chauhan, the FTII chairman should voluntarily retire. Will do good to the students.” He added: “If they (students) don’t want you, they don’t want you. By pushing for the chairmanship is getting you nowhere. Let self pride play a role and retire!”

Anupam Kher: The veteran actor has said that FTII needs a “much qualified” person than Chauhan as its chief. The former chairman of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and National School of Drama (NSD) also supported the idea of converting the government institute into an autonomous body. Known for his versatility, Kher said that FTII represents a certain art form and requires a person who is supposed to know all forms of cinema. He said that Chauhan is neither qualified as producer or director nor actor to lead FTII. Kher was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2004 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui: He extended support to FTII students, saying the post of chairman demands a creative person. Siddiqui told India Today: "This post demands creativity. There are people who are far more efficient. There are many options and people with such background must come forward…I am not saying that the person appointed on post has a bad background." He strongly objected the idea of privatising FTII as everyone cannot afford the fee charged by a private insitute. He received the Special Jury Award at the 60th National Film Awards 2012, for his work in films, Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, Dekh Indian Circus and Talaash.

Raj Babbar: The veteran actor also raised his voice against Chauhan’s appointment as FTII head. He told NDTV that one cannot appoint a chaprasi (office attendant) as school principal just because he can devote a lot of time for the institute. However, the actor clarified that it was not a comment on Chauhan's abilities. The Congress spokesperson, targeting the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry, said it is actually wrong to target Chauhan due to fault of the people who have appointed him as the chairman.

(Image: ​Vipin Vaghmare and Indiatimes)