Amid the raging controversy surrounding alleged political appointments in Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) society, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry is scheduled to hold a meeting in New Delhi on July 13 to appoint a new director for the institute. The current director, D J Narain, was appointed in 2011 for a three-year term and later given a one-year extension, which ends on July 18. Narain has now been posted as director general of I&B ministry’s films division in Mumbai. [related-post] “There is meeting on July 13 in Delhi for decision on the new director. I am not aware of the nominated names yet,” said Gajendra Chauhan, whose recent appointment as the chairperson of the FTII society is being opposed by the students. “I am yet to formally take charge. Once the government sends me a joining letter, I will take over,” Chauhan told The Indian Express. Speaking about recent resignations of actor Pallavi Joshi, director Jahnu Barua and others from the society, Chauhan said, “I have not received any resignations as I am yet to take charge. They must have sent it to the government or FTII director. They have resigned because of their individual problems. Once I take charge and then someone resigns, I will talk to them individually and try to sort out the matter,” Chauhan said. Narain said he was likely to continue till his successor was chosen. “I have already taken over the additional charge of the DG of Films Division in Mumbai. But till the time the government does not shoot an order asking me to leave, I will probably be continuing as the director.”
