Protests by students of the Film and Television Institute of India or FTII, which is on its 53rd day today, have been endorsed by veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who questioned: "Who is Gajendra Chauhan?"

Chatterjee, who won the Dada Saheb Phalke award three years ago, told NDTV that he had "never heard" of Chauhan.


"I don't know who he is. Anyone who will occupy a responsible position should have good body of work. Does he have that? Who is he?" said the 80-year-old Bengali actor, who has been a perennial favourite of Satyajit Ray.

Chatterjee, who is in the news recently for his role in Sujoy Ghosh's 14-minute film Ahalya said, "For so many days there have been protests but the government is not listening."


The students have been protesting against Chauhans appointment since June 12, saying he lacked vision and artistic credentials to merit the post at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India.


Chauhan, known for his role of Yudhishtira in popular tele-serial Mahabharat, has refused to step down, claiming he is well equipped for the job and that if Centre, which has appointed him tells him to go he will do so.