'Gajendra Chauhan Should Resign Voluntarily': Rishi Kapoor on FTII Controversy

Mumbai: Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor addressed a press conference on his tweets of advice to embattled FTII chairman Gajendra Chauhan.

Here are the highlights of what he said:

• I've nothing personal against Gajendra Chauhan, I've never met him.
• The profession of films isn't a matter of theory.
• You can't learn by the book.
• You need a figurehead who can advise you and tell you what is good and what is wrong.
• Knowledge of cinema is important. I've been in films for 44 years and I'm certainly not capable of being FTII chief.
• If students have some problem with Mr Chauhan, there must be some justification.
• I was rejected from the FTII because I had failed Class 11.
• I am standing by the FTII students.
• If a political appointee had to be made, there is Shatrughan Sinha or Hema Malini or Paresh Rawal.
• You can't demand respect you must command. You can't keep fighting to be chairman.
• When you are being opposed openly, you should voluntarily resign.
• I would tell tell students, attend your classes, the issue of the institute's chairman is a different matter.
• One should be capable of handling whatever posts you are given. Unfortunately, there are many people in our country who are given portfolios they aren't capable of handling.
• Someone who is authoritatively knowledgeable about cinema and facets of making a film... I don't have it.
• As a friend, I will tell Gajendra Chauhan, 'Don't impose yourself'.
• He may be the most capable man but I'm saying we should do what the students want. Students want a figurehead who can inspire them.