Chauhan unfazed, says won't quit as govt appointed him

Unfazed by protests against his appointment as FTII chairman and demands of resignation, Gajendra Chauhan today said he will not quit from his post as he was selected by the government.
The appointment of Chauhan as the new chairman of Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India's (FTII) governing council last month has kicked up a controversy with the students boycotting classes and abandoning academic work. They have alleged that he lacks "stature and vision" to head the institution.
"What should I take retirement from? How can an artist be retired? I don't understand this... My appointment came under the consideration of government. Whatever instruction the government will give me, I will abide by that... The I&B ministry has checked my credential and then gave me this job," he said.

The government also defended his appointment, saying it wanted someone who could devote time to the premier institute.
Chauhan, best known for playing Yudhisthira on TV epic "Mahabharata", also denied reports of not knowing Anupam Kher and Rishi Kapoor after they raised questions on his appointment as the chairman of premier institute.
"I have come to know that some news channel has run some report about me saying who Anupam Kher and Rishi (Kapoor) are... I have never said this. I totally deny this and I have respect for both of them. Being in a democratic country, both of them have the right to convey their thoughts," he said.

Talking about the ongoing protest by the students, Chauhan said, "I have always said that only discussions on controversies can give way to a solution. I have requested the students several times to take up their matter with the ministry and their problem will be solved...