Govt defends picking of Chauhan over icons like Amitabh

Government today defended appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as head of FTII, saying it wanted someone who could devote time to the premier institute, in the backdrop of reports that names of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth were among those suggested for the post.
"The government wanted the Governing Council, including the chairman, to be people who could commit time for the development of the institute," Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore told reporters here.
Rathore's comments came amidst reports that among the potential names suggested for the position of FTII chairman included icons like of Bachchan and Rajnikanth as well.

Significantly, names of filmmakers Gulzar, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Shyam Benegal were also under the consideration of the I&B ministry, according to sources.
Meanwhile, a senior ministry functionary said, "It was felt that while Chauhan may not be the tallest of all names suggested, but he certainly met all the requirements, including willingness to give time generously."
If "people like Bachchan or Rajnikanth would like to run FTII, there was no objection but only those names who it was felt could devote enough time to thoroughly focus on the job were shortlisted," he said, adding another factor was the willingness to take up the job, indicating that some prominent names were not keen.

Ministry official also rejected suggestions of differences between I&B minister Arun Jaitley and MoS Rathore on the matter.

Earlier, Oscar winning sound mixer and designer Resul Pookutty had tweeted that in his meeting with a FTII delegation Jaitley had said "we (government) haven't made the best of choice but as a Govt we can't retract!"
Ministry officials denied that Chauhan's nomination was an attempt at "saffronisation" and the RSS was involved in decision making and said that members chosen were from diverse backgrounds on the FTII council.
Citing another reason for choosing Chauhan, an official source said it was felt that some difficult decision were needed, which an alumni may not be comfortable in taking.

Joining those who are supporting the agitating FTII students on their demand for removal of Chauhan as chairman of the institute, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor said he should not fight for his post but step down as students "are not able to look up to him".
"Don't fight for it, don't force yourself into the post...I am not doubting anybody's capabilities. You cannot impose yourself. A chief command demands respect and I feel bad for him. I think he should step down," Rishi told reporters in Mumbai.