Earlier, Ranbir Kapoor had come out in support of the students protesting against Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as chairman of the FTII.

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor has joined in the debate over the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman of FTII, saying he should retire voluntarily.

Mr. Chauhan, best known for playing Yudhisthira on the TV epic Mahabharata, took over as the chairman of the Pune-based institute’s governing council last month.

“Advice. After all the protests and controversy, Gajendra Chauhan,the FTII Chairman should voluntarily retire. Will do good to the students,” Mr. Kapoor, 62, posted on Twitter.

Mr. Chauhan’s appointment was heavily criticised by current and former students of the institute. They have been boycotting classes, abandoning academic work in protest against the appointment of Mr. Chauhan, who they allege lacks “stature and vision” to head the institution.

Earlier, Mr. Kapoor’s son Ranbir Kapoor has come out in support of the agitating students. “I don’t think what the students are asking for is illogical, all they are asking for is to give them a fair chance a fair opportunity, correct faculty, correct syllabus. I really do pray that an institute that we all are so proud of and seen such great personalities emerge from... Shouldn’t be a disappointment for student and future students,” the actor said.