Salman Khan comes in support of striking FTII students

After Bollywood veterans like Anupam Kher and Rishi Kapoor, superstar Salman Khan has come in support of the striking students of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

After Bollywood veterans like Anupam Kher and Rishi Kapoor, superstar Salman Khan has come in support of the striking students of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

Salman said the Mahabharat actor should pay heed to the students and resign from the post. The Bollywood heart-throb's support came a day after the institute warned the agitating students to end the strike or face "strong administrative action which may include rustication". "I think that he (Chauhan) should listen to the students...because the students have made our industry, worthy industry...," Salman told reporters.

The students have been agitating for last more than a month following the appointment of Chauhan, alleging that he lacks "vision and stature" to head the prestigious FTII.

The issue has snowballed into a big controversy with several Bollywood celebrities batting for the students and asking the government to reconsider Chauhan's appointment.

Well-known celebrities like Rishi Kapoor, son Ranbir Kapoor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Anupam Kher, filmmakers Kundan Shah, Aziz Mirza, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Kiran Rao, Rajkummar Rao, Sudhir Mishra, Sayeed Mirza, Resul Pookutty and Piyush Mishra have voiced their reservation.

Earlier Rishi Kapoor has posted on twitter: Advice. After all the protests and controversy,Gajendra Chauhan,the FTII Chairman should voluntarily retire. Will do good to the students.

Salman Khan was seen doing push-ups on the set of a TV show. Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the witness to his exercise. (Photo: Yogen Shah)

"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!, he added.

To which Gajendra Chauhan had responded by asking: Who are Anupam Kher and Rishi Kapoor? I won't give up the FTII chairmanship.

Cinematographer Santhosh Sivan, actress Pallavi Joshi and National Award-winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua resigned as members of the FTII Society in support of the striking students.

Meanwhile, FTII authorities yesterday served an ultimatum to the agitating students asking them to call off their 34-day strike or face the risk of rustication.

Director D J Narian served a notice to the students, asking them to terminate the protest immediately or face "strong" administrative action which may include rustication".

"All concerned students will themselves be responsible for any administrative action in this regard."

"You are therefore ordered to terminate the strike with immediate effect and resume academic activities without any further delay, failing which the institution will be free to take strict administrative action," the notice said.

Read: Rishi Kapoor advises FTII chairman to 'retire', Chauhan hits back

Read: Protests against Chauhan to continue despite 'threats' at FTII