Gajendra Chauhan, who played Yudishthira, has found support from his some of 'Mahabharat' colleagues.
Embattled actor-politician Gajendra Chauhan, whose appointment as chairman of the Pune's Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) sparked protests from its students, has received words of support from fellow cast members of BR Chopra's iconic series 'Mahabharat', bringing together the reel 'Pandavas' and 'Kauravas'.
Mr Chauhan, best known for his portrayal of Pandava prince Yudishthira in the show, received support from his reel-life arch enemy Puneet Issar, who played Duryodhana. He told NDTV that the students were being unfair to his tele-cousin. "It is sad and it has now turned ugly. But forget Gajendra Chauhan, how can anyone say that he is not capable without giving him a chance? What is the guarantee that somebody with 'national eminence' can successfully run an institute like the FTII?" argued Puneet 'Duryodhana' Issar.
Duryodhana's closest friend, the formidable warrior Karna - played by actor Pankaj Dheer - too backs Yudishthira. "If the government thinks Mr Chauhan is fit for the job, then there must be some merit. The position of the FTII chairman is that of an administrator and not of a teacher. Mr Chauhan's eminence is irrelevant to the post. Moreover, the finest students have emerged from the most average teachers. That said, the past chairmen of the FTII were great personalities but not great administrators. That's what we need now," Mr Dheer said.
Gufi Paintal, who played the role of Shakuni - one of Mahabharat's main villains - said, "As compared to other FTII chairmen, it is true that he doesn't have the same qualification. But if the government wanted one of their own, they could have also opted for Shatrughan Sinha or Hema Malini. So, I don't know what the thinking process was. However, I don't think it's wise for students to protest. Now that he has been appointed, let him prove himself," Duryodhana's reel uncle said.
But the strongest support came from actor Mukesh Khanna, who was hugely appreciated for his performance as the wise old Bhishma - the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces but also uncle to both warring cousins. "It is the prerogative of the government and students cannot dictate terms. If Gajendra believes he is capable, then give him a chance to prove himself. If students don't feel inspired by him, then please leave FTII. The protests are political. Problem is with the students," he said. Incidentally, Mr Khanna has been campaigning for the BJP for the past 15 years and was recently appointed as the chairman of the Children's Film Society of India.
Draupadi, the wife of the five Pandavas, played by Roopa Ganguly, blamed the students, "I think FTII students should have first given him a chance and not gone public. It is not fair to humiliate somebody. Gajendraji's body of work may not have been as great as the others. But that's also because he may not have been lucky as he is not a handsome-looking person who could have become a hero. Also in the industry, one's capabilities are not in consonance with opportunities," said the BJP member from West Bengal.