FTII alumni join hands to resolve row over chairman

As the stir over the appointment of actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the FTII refuses to die down with students going on indefinite strike to protest it, former institute students have joined together to resolve the issue.

Award winning cinematographer and former student of the Film and Television Institute of India Santosh Sivan, who is also a member of governing council, said that alumni will do their best to bring an end to the stalemate.

"The former students from across the country have joined together and will do their best to bring an end to the stalemate. A group of the alumni will reach the FTII tomorrow and hold talks with the students," Sivan told IANS from Mumbai.

Sivan had served on the governing council in the past too when actor Vinod Khanna headed the governing body.

"All what we wish and want is everything should end well and we will do everything what we can in this," he added.

According to reports from the FTII, the students went on an indefinite strike from Friday, saying that Chauhan's appointment is politically motivated.

A report also said that the "students council sought immediate appointment of another chairman who is 'qualified with a significant body of work to do justice to the institute'."

Sivan noted that they are rooting for a positive outcome.

"Things should be sorted out as this institute is hugely reputed one across the world. In the best interest of all, we wish and hope normalcy will and should return at the earliest," he added.