Mumbai: Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, whose tweets advising controversial FTII chairman Gajendra Chauhan to resign had sparked on a major storm on social media, on Friday clarified that he had nothing against him and made his comments in good faith.
"I have nothing against Gajendra babu... I am not talking out of personal malice or anything. I don't think I have ever met the gentleman nor have anything against him. I am sure he must be a capable man," Rishi said at a press conference here.
"When people are openly opposing you, making fun of you, insulting you, then I think you should voluntarily resign. What sort of relationship do you think you will have with kids in FTII, what respect will you expect from the students," he asked.
READ: Gajendra Chauhan should voluntarily retire, says Rishi Kapoor
"Its like me saying 'My movie has flopped' and then I go all around saying 'My movie has worked, I will make it work'... it doesn't work that way. Our profession is not based on theory. It is based on practical. You can't be bookish.
"So you need a figurehead to actually look up to, who can advise you, discuss world cinema, say what is good and what is bad. I am not doubting Mr. Chauhan's capabilities. Its just that if the students have some problems than I am sure there must be some justification with them also," he said.
The appointment of Chauhan, whose claim to fame is the role of eldest Pandava brother Yudhishthira on a long-running TV version of the epic "Mahabharata" had led to massive outcry, followed by protests by the institute's students who alleged Chauhan has worked in "soft-porn" movies.
Rishi had tweeted: "Advice. After all the protests and controversy, Gajendra Chauhan, the FTII Chairman should voluntarily retire. Will do good to the students."
In another, he said: "If they don't want you, they don't want you. By pushing for the chairmanship is getting you no where. Let self pride play a role and retire."
