Neither Qualification, Nor Vision': Why FTII Students Are On A Strike Against The New Chairman

[Sachin=GOD]

Neither Qualification, Nor Vision': Why FTII Students Are On A Strike Against The New Chairman Students of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (FTII) are going on an indefinite strike starting from 12 June 2015 as a mark of protest against theappointment*of Gajendra Chauhan as the new Chairman of the institute. All activities – classes, practicals, shoots – have been stopped till their demand is met. The student council’s immediate demand seeks for a different Chairman, who is qualified and promises – through his/her past records – to do justice to the Institute. FTII earlier has had the likes of Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Girish Karnad, Shyam Benegal, U.R. Ananthamurthy as the Chairman. The list of Chairmen who have served also includes Saeed Akhtar Mirza following the end of whose term in 2014 FTII remained without one. The appointment has met with great criticism because of the inadequate experience – both in terms of quality and quantity – of Gajendra Chauhan in the realm of cinema in particular and art in general. Chauhan, whose popularity stands on his role as Yudhishtir in the mega serial Mahabharat aired on Doordarshan during early 90s has no significant contribution/ work to even qualify as a footnote or a passing reference in the history of Indian cinema and television. Not surprisingly, Chauhan’s appointment is related to his close association with the BJP for over 20 years, he has been*an official member of the party since 2004. The appointment of Anagha Ghaisas and Shailesh Gupta into the Governing Council has also shocked the film and the FTII student fraternities, for the two are known for their propagandist films for the Hindu right wing. “This makes the agenda behind these appointments clear i.e. to colour the educational space saffron,” the students are saying. http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2015/06/gajendra-chauhan-appointed-ftii-chairman/ If BJP is hell bent on filling up posts with its own men then it should at least find qualified people from among the party who could do the job instead of just giving posts to such under qualified people. Really pathetic.

[rkt.india]

what is the problem with him?

[Sachin=GOD]

what is the problem with him?

In a 30 year career he has had ONE noteworthy role (Yudhishthir in Mahabharat.......that too was way back in 1988). He's not even a good actor, let alone a great one. FTII is one of India's best schools for all things associated with movies/TV and has produced many great actors/directors etc so the appointment of a B grade actor as its Chairman, especially when news reports say that the likes of Gulzar and Shyam Bengal were other names in consideration for the post, is obviously going to result in protests. Recently the Govt made Mukesh Khanna (Shaktiman and Bhishma in Mahabharat among other roles) as Chairman of Children's Film Society. He had campaigned for Modi. And of course there's Pahlaj Nihlani as Censor Board Chairman. The less said about him the better. The sad thing in all this is that it's not as if BJP doesn't have good actors/directors etc associated with it who can do the job. Kirron Kher or Paresh Rawal would surely be better than these people who have no achievements to speak of in the film industry. But for some reason they are not used for all this.

[rkt.india]

In a 30 year career he has had ONE noteworthy role (Yudhishthir in Mahabharat.......that too was way back in 1988). He's not even a good actor, let alone a great one. FTII is one of India's best schools for all things associated with movies/TV and has produced many great actors/directors etc so the appointment of a B grade actor as its Chairman, especially when news reports say that the likes of Gulzar and Shyam Bengal were other names in consideration for the post, is obviously going to result in protests. Recently the Govt made Mukesh Khanna (Shaktiman and Bhishma in Mahabharat among other roles) as Chairman of Children's Film Society. He had campaigned for Modi. And of course there's Pahlaj Nihlani as Censor Board Chairman. The less said about him the better. The sad thing in all this is that it's not as if BJP doesn't have good actors/directors etc associated with it who can do the job. Kirron Kher or Paresh Rawal would surely be better than these people who have no achievements to speak of in the film industry. But for some reason they are not used for all this.

This position is anyway a perk position. What has previous chair person's a have done there other than touring overseas on govt. money.

[G_B_]

In a 30 year career he has had ONE noteworthy role (Yudhishthir in Mahabharat.......that too was way back in 1988). He's not even a good actor, let alone a great one. FTII is one of India's best schools for all things associated with movies/TV and has produced many great actors/directors etc so the appointment of a B grade actor as its Chairman, especially when news reports say that the likes of Gulzar and Shyam Bengal were other names in consideration for the post, is obviously going to result in protests. Recently the Govt made Mukesh Khanna (Shaktiman and Bhishma in Mahabharat among other roles) as Chairman of Children's Film Society. He had campaigned for Modi. And of course there's Pahlaj Nihlani as Censor Board Chairman. The less said about him the better. The sad thing in all this is that it's not as if BJP doesn't have good actors/directors etc associated with it who can do the job. Kirron Kher or Paresh Rawal would surely be better than these people who have no achievements to speak of in the film industry. But for some reason they are not used for all this.

maybe they are busy?

[Sachin=GOD]

maybe they are busy?

Couldn't they find ANYONE qualified enough in the entire industry?

[Sachin=GOD]

This position is anyway a perk position. What has previous chair person's a have done there other than touring overseas on govt. money.

It's not a perk position. Huh? How exactly do you know that? Just pulling out stuff from thin air...

[G_B_]

somebody like Nana Patekar should take the role. He is close to the Sena and the MNS so will push marathi cinema and also push for hindutva.

[Sachin=GOD]

somebody like Nana Patekar should take the role. He is close to the Sena and the MNS so will push marathi cinema and also push for hindutva.

He would be a great choice. Not only is he a very good actor but he's also one of few people in Bollywood who openly speak their mind (he was one of the very few in Bollywood who had said that Sanjay Dutt shouldn't be given a lighter sentence just because he was famous or had done charity. He also slammed the UPA Govt for giving him parole). Another one would be Nassiruddin Shah - great actor who doesn't shy away from saying what he thinks.

[Sachin=GOD]

The new Chairman of the Film & Television Institute of India:

[rkt.india]

It's not a perk position. Huh? How exactly do you know that? Just pulling out stuff from thin air...

Got it from people from film industry.

[Sachin=GOD]

Got it from people from film industry.

It has earlier had Girish Karnad, Shyam Benegal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Saeed Mirza etc as Chairmen - I'm not sure that such people would be non serious about their work or go on foreign junkets like politicians.

[Sachin=GOD]

I support protesters agitating against appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as FTII chairman: Ashok Pandit (Film maker) There are many veteran personalities of Indian Cinema who should be consider for the post, G Chauhan should himself step down: Ashok Pandit He has been appointed to Censor Board by BJP itself :cantstop:

[Sachin=GOD]

Perhaps, the most damning and valid criticism of this decision, came from film-maker Vivek Agnihotri, who*revealed*that the Governing Council, of which Chauhan is chairperson, has members*who themselves surpass Chauhan in merit.*Vidya Balan, Jahnu Barua,*Pallavi Joshi, Raju Hirani, Santosh Sivan are all artistes with much vaster*experience than Chauhan. This leads to an undesirable situation where a TV actor, is overseeing a board consisting of multiple National Award winners.

[seedhi]

Not as if this is IISc or TIFR that a Nobel Laureate has to be appointed. It is frickin acting school, should not be funded by taxpayer money in the first place. Let the students protest, if this waste of money is shut down it would be better.

[Sachin=GOD]

Not as if this is IISc or TIFR that a Nobel Laureate has to be appointed. It is frickin acting school' date=' should not be funded by taxpayer money in the first place. Let the students protest, if this waste of money is shut down it would be better.[/quote'] It's not as if the Govt is not involved in controversy in appointments of Directors of IITs. I agree. Govt shouldn't be funding such an institute - make it private. But as long as its in Govt control it should have qualified persons running it and Gajendra Chauhan is not qualified for this job. Same with Pahlaj Nihlani for Censor Board and YS Rao as Chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research etc.

[Desi Cartman]

Not as if this is IISc or TIFR that a Nobel Laureate has to be appointed. It is frickin acting school' date=' should not be funded by taxpayer money in the first place. Let the students protest, if this waste of money is shut down it would be better.[/quote'] Govt funding acting school : bad Govt funding retirement homes for cows : not so bad :hatsoff:

[Kalia_Test]

Is this an administrative post ( where achievements will be measured by how much this fellow can extract funding from GOI and others and ensure day to day operations are hassle-free with qualified teachers) or the chairman has to teach acting to the students himself? Not really sure hence asking

[Mariyam]

somebody like Nana Patekar should take the role. He is close to the Sena and the MNS so will push marathi cinema and also push for hindutva.

Push for Hindutva? :D The job description of the chairman of the FTII doesn't include pushing for Hindutva. His job is to primarily place his students in top notch theatre houses India and world over. Ensure that students from his institute are trained well enough to send entries to film and theatre festivals around the world. Ensure the govt still adequately funds the institute etc. And as far as Nana Patekar pushing Marathi cinema is concerned, pray tell me what has he done for Marathi cinema in his long career? Can you name even 3 famous Marathi movies that he has acted in?

[Mariyam]

Not as if this is IISc or TIFR that a Nobel Laureate has to be appointed. It is frickin acting school' date=' should not be funded by taxpayer money in the first place. Let the students protest, if this waste of money is shut down it would be better.[/quote'] What kind of reasoning is this? Why belittle an 'acting' school, that too one which has produced world class talent over the last many decades and is very difficult to get into. What great return to the Indian tax payer has the IISc provided? Or an IIT for that matter. how many patents/ inventions/ scientific breakthroughs have come from these premier institutes? PS: its not just an 'acting school'. They teach direction, cinematography, diction, screen play writing etc. PPS: Your wish however, may just come true. Government may either close FTII or transfer ownership to Bollywood