An RTI request has revealed that Gajendra Chauhan was appointed the chief of the Film and Television Institute of India on the basis of just one -para CV.
The CV also said that his only notable achievement was that of playing the role of Yudhisthir in the TV serial Mahabharat.
While replying to the RTI query the ministry of information and broadcasting said, “Gajendra Chauhan is an actor who is best known for his portrayal of the eldest Pandava ‘Yudhishthir’ in the Mahabharat (TV series). He has worked in around 150 movies and over 600 TV serials.”
According to a PTI report, the RTI applicant had sought information regarding the educational and professional qualifications of Gajendra Chauhan, and the basis on which he was considered for his selection as President, FTII, among other queries.
Chauhan’s appointment as the FTII chief has sparked off huge controversy with students refusing to halt their protests until his name was withdrawn.
Several high profile bollywood personalities including Anupam Kher and Rishi Kapoor had asked him to resign.
Earlier reports had suggested that the I&B ministry in the past had ignored the names of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth for this prestigious post.
The 281-page record provided by the Ministry includes details of resumes of others who were proposed for the post of FTII President. The only reference to Mr Chauhan’s qualification is a one paragraph summary.
The students, who have paralysed the functioning of the prestigious institute for over 40 days now, have also received support from Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav who have visited the campus.
However, the NDA government has stuck to its guns and refused to remove Chauhan.
