NEW DELHI : Even as voices seeking FTII chairman Gajendra Chauhan 's resignation grew louder, it is learned that eminent film personalities like Raju Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Jahnu Barua were among the luminaries who were considered for the post but it was finally Chauhan who made the cut. Interestingly, all the three are alumni of the premier film school.Chauhan's name was pushed by RSS cultural outfit Sanskar Bharati, Sangh leader Krishna Gopal and BJP general secretary (organisation) Ramlal, according to highly placed sources, who also added that Chauhan himself had been lobbying for the post with the Sangh and BJP.Sources also said that Gajendra Chauhan's name was officially put forward by I&B minister of state Rajyavardhan Rathore, who stuck to it even after people from within the party and the ministry objected to it.Rathore, it is learnt, had argued that there is need for a "strong administrative person" for the post of chairman of the FTII governing council, given the "mess" that the film institute is in and Chauhan would be able to do the cleaning up. This argument does not hold, as the chairman has no administrative role, which lies with the director of FTII.The government however strongly defended the decision to appoint Chauhan, saying it wanted someone who could devote time to the premier institute. " The government wanted the Governing Council, including the chairman, to be people who could commit time for the development of the institute," Rathore said.Significantly, names of celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth, Gulzar, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Shyam Benegal were also under the consideration of the I&B ministry, said reports.Meanwhile, a senior ministry functionary said, " It was felt that while Chauhan may not be the tallest of all names suggested, but he certainly met all the requirements, including willingness to give time generously."If " people like Bachchan or Rajnikanth would like to run FTII, there was no objection but only those names who, it was felt, could devote enough time to thoroughly focus on the job were shortlisted," he said, adding another factor was the willingness to take up the job, indicating that some prominent names were not keen.According to sources, I&B minister Arun Jaitley, held back the file for some days before the name could be finalized. Earlier, Oscar-winning sound mixer and designer Resul Pookutty had tweeted that in his meeting with a FTII delegation Jaitley had said " we (government) haven't made the best of choice but as a government we can't retract!"However ministry officials rejected suggestions of differences between Jaitley and his junior minister Rathore on the matter.Ministry officials denied that Chauhan's nomination was an attempt at " saffronisation" and RSS was involved in decision making and said that members are chosen were from diverse backgrounds on the FTII council. Citing another reason for choosing Chauhan, an official source said, it was felt that some difficult decisions were needed, which an alumni may not be comfortable in taking.But Chauhan himself lobbied for the post in a big way with both Sangh and BJP leaders, it is learnt, which is why people like Ramlal came into the picture.Earlier former censor board chief Anupam Kher had criticized Chauhan's appointment saying that the institute needed a much qualified person. Kher is seen as reflecting the views of a section in the party as well as Bollywood which have been supportive of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Joining those who are supporting the agitating FTII students on their demand for removal of Chauhan as chairman of the institute, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor said he should not fight for his post but step down as students " are not able to look up to him" ." Don't fight for it, don't force yourself into the post...I am not doubting anybody's capabilities. You cannot impose yourself. A chief command demands respect and I feel bad for him. I think he should step down," Kapoor told reporters in Mumbai.