‘We wanted someone who can devote time to FTII’

Some of the top Bollywood celebrities, such as actors Anupam Kher and Rishi Kapoor, came out in support of the agitating students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as Chairman, but the Centre seems firm on its stance.

While there were reports alleging the government had ignored two lists with names such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth, Adoor Gopalakrishnan among others for the appointment of the chairman, Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty tweeted on Friday, “Not just Anupam Kher, Mr Arun Jaitley also told us in the meeting that we haven’t made the best of choice.” However, government sources denied rejecting other names saying while these were considered as part of a “wide consultation process”, some top Bollywood actors declined to take up the position, stating reasons such as paucity of time.

Information and Broadcasting Minister of State Rajyavardhan Rathore on Friday said Chauhan was chosen as the government wanted “someone who can devote time to FTII.”

“We wanted governing council to comprise people who can commit time for the development of the institute. The government is committed for the betterment of the institute,” he said.

A senior Ministry official, who did not wish to be identified, said the government is not interested in “playing an ego match” and wants the institute to improve, pointing once again at the “history of the strikes,” with 32 strikes by FTII students in the 55 years of its existence. On the contrary, the Satyajit Ray FTI is being run professionally, while FTII Pune has not held convocation for many years, the official said. He further said, “willingness of a concerned person to take up the job was one of the criteria to choose the Chairman. While some top actors declined, others were willing to contribute with Chauhan at the helm.”

Denying any difference of opinion between Arun Jaitley and Rathore, sources said while Chauhan may not be the best choice, he certainly met requirements, including willingness to give time to the institute.

The film fraternity has been expressing concern over the “lowering of standards” of education at the institute, which led the Ministry to look into ways to improve faculty as well as infrastructure of the institute, the official said.

Ministry officials also said that the striking students are being adamant on the issue of the appointment of the Chairman. “It’s the students who need to communicate and be open to consultations to resolve the issue,” they said. Sources also said names such as Jahnu Barua, an alumni of the institute, were also considered but it was felt that someone from the alumni may not be able to take or implement “difficult decisions required for improvement of the institute.”