National-award-winning filmmakers and actors from the Marathi industry on Friday came out in support of striking FTII students opposing the appointment of BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the prestigious institute and backed their demand for the removal of the TV actor.

"We need a person who has a great body of work and a vision for the institute. Chauhan lacks it all and we think the students are right in their demands for revoking his appointment," director of the national-award-winning movie 'Deool' and FTII alumnus, Umesh Kulkarni, said.