FTII row: Chauhan should voluntarily resign, says Rishi Kapoor

Actor Rishi Kapoor on Friday said that Gajendra Chauhan should voluntarily resign as the chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), leaving aside his ego.

"I have nothing against Gajendra Chauhan. My point is how will he be received at FTII when everyone is against his appointment? If this is how Gajendra Chauhan is being received, the man should voluntarily resign leaving aside his pride and ego," Kapoor told the media here.

"And, if someone had to be chosen for political reasons then there was Hema Malini, or Shatrughan Sinha or Paresh Rawal. I feel for him (Gajendra Chauhan) but you can't force yourself into something," he added.

Students of the FTII have been protesting against Chauhan's appointment due to his affiliation to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and his lack of experience and stature. A billboard at the entrance of the institute had last week asked Chauhan to resign and leave.

Other student groups have been protesting against the decision as well, with organisations like the AISA encouraging Chauhan to quit.