FTII chairman’s term ends today; extension unlikely
Tenure of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) ends on March 3. He is yet to get intimation on his extension but sources from the Information and Broadcasting ministry say it is unlikely that he will be given an extension.
Chauhan’s appointment as chairman of the institute was marred by the controversy as students of the institute opposed his appointment. His appointment got postponed when the students went on a strike for 139 days. According to the students, his career and achievements were too low compared to the requirements of the premier film institute.
Gajendra Chauhan said that his small tenure of one year and seven months proved as fruitful. “During my tenure, the decision to confer master degrees instead of diplomas to students studying cinema was taken. The syllabus was changed. And due to many decisions I had taken, faculty and students got together.”
He did not divulge on the governing council meeting that was held on March 2 but said that if he doesn’t get an extension, the meeting will be his last. He also said that construction of mini film city and an open theatre was started due to his efforts.
Sources in I and B ministry, Delhi, indicated that it was unlikely that he will receive an extension.
According to students who opposed his appointment, the move was a part of the centre government's effort to “saffronise” the academic institution across the country. The institution had renowned filmmakers like Girish Karnad, R K Laxman, and so on, at its helm.