With the FTII controversy refusing to die down, more and more Bollywood celebrities are joining the growing list of people arguing that Gajendra Chauhan does not merit the post of chairman of the prestigious institute going by his body of work. The chorus against Chauhan's removal has been going louder day by day with filmmakers Kundan Shah and Aziz Mirza being the latest to join.
FTII alumni Shah, who is known for making the cult classic "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro", says that appointing Chauhan as the chairman is an "absurd" decision. "Isn't the whole issue shameful? It's a shameful decision by the ministry. Who knows this man (Chauhan)? Just see his body of work?Shah said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mirza says, "Chauhan should step down as he is not wanted.
"Chauhan is putting up a flop show by not resigning. He should step down soon. Even students are being persistent. By doing all the protests they are just being foolhardy."
But unfazed by this opposition from the Bollywood fraternity and other quarters, Chauhan is adamant maintaining that he has been appointed on the merit of the 34 years he has spent in showbiz.
Film personalities like Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Amol Palekar, Resul Pookutty, Kiran Rao, Rajkummar Rao, Sudhir Mishra, Sayeed Mirza and Piyush Mishra among others have voiced their strong reservations over Chauhan's appointment.