Gajendra Chauhan
Gajendra Chauhan | |
|---|---|
 Chauhan in 2010 | |
| Born | 10 October 1956[1] Delhi,India |
| Alma mater | All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janta Party |
| Spouse | Habiba Rehman[2][3] |
Gajendra Singh Chauhanknown professionally asGajendra Chauhan,is a former television actor known for his work on Indian television, especially his portrayal ofYudhishthirain the historical television seriesMahabharat(1988–90). He has also had significant roles in a fewB movies,and a larger number ofcameo appearancesin other films. In 2015, he was appointed chairman of theFilm and Television Institute of India(FTII), which sparked controversy and opposition by FTII students, leading to his resignation in October 2017. He is appointed Vice-chancellor ofPandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Artsin 2021.[4]
Early life[edit]
Gajendra was born on 10 October 1956, Delhi in aRajputfamily. He did a diploma in radiography fromAll India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) before he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting.[5]There he studied acting in the school run byRoshan Taneja,who had previously taught at FTII.[6]
Acting career[edit]
Chauhan's acting career spans over 35 years, and by his own count, he has worked in 600 television series and almost 150 movies during that period.[7][8]His first break as an actor was in television seriesPaying Guestin 1983, and he went on to act in shows such asRajni,Air HostessandAdalat.[9]The first acting part in a film that he did was inMain Chup Nahi Rahoongiin 1986.[6]In reviews of his film career,Times of IndiaandFirstpostwrote that he had played significant roles only in a few "C-grade"movies, with most of his other roles beingcameo appearances,a few of which were in mainstream movie.[10][11]
Mahabharat[edit]
Chauhan was initially offered to play the role of LordKrishnain the television series, and shot for two episodes of the series in this role.[12]However filming for the first series was delayed, and Chauhan moved south to take on new work.[12]Upon his return, Chauhan had put on weight and was considered unsuitable for the role of Krishna. He was later offered the role ofYudhishthira,which went on to being the role he has become better known by.[12]
Administration and politics[edit]
Chauhan has also been involved in the administration ofCinema and Television Artists Associationfor 20 years, and served as its president for a year.[7][13]In 2004 Chauhan entered politics,[8]and became a member of theBharatiya Janata Party(BJP), for which he has worked as the national convener for culture.[7][14]
Controversies[edit]
On 9 June 2015, Chauhan was appointed as the Chairman of theFilm and Television Institute of India(FTII).[15]His appointment proved to be controversial amid allegations by students that it was a blatant attempt to "saffronizethe institute ".[15]A section of left-wing students association, includingAll India Students Association(AISA) (the student wing of theCommunist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation) continue to agitate.[16]Chauhan requested the students to give him a year to prove himself, and insisted that he would be better than the previous chairpersons.[17]
Among those who have supported Chauhan's appointment as FTII chairman are BJP supporters and politicians includingMukesh Khanna,[18]Paresh Rawal,Hema Malini,Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,andPaintal.[13][19][20]Many more including FTII alumni and former teachers, actors, film technicians, filmmakers, journalists and political leaders have opposed his appointment, prominent among whom includeRanbir Kapoor,Kalki Koechlin,Nawazuddin Siddiqui,Anupam Kher,Piyush Mishra,Anand Patwardhan,Kiran Rao,Jahnu Barua,Salman Khan,Rishi Kapoor,[21][22][23]Resul Pookutty,[24]Rajkummar Rao,Amol Palekar,[25]Soumitra Chatterjee,[26]Rahul Gandhi,Arvind Kejriwal[27]andRana Ayyub.[28]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Main Chup Nahi Rahungi | |
| Lallu Ram | Sub Inspector | |
| 1986 | Jungle Love | |
| 1989 | Khuli Khidki | Avinash |
| Awara Zindagi | ||
| 1991 | Vasna | |
| Dancer | Joshi | |
| Jungle Ki Rani | ||
| Naagmani | ||
| 1992 | Jungle Ka Beta | |
| Jawani Janeman | ||
| Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare | Shibu | |
| 1993 | Aakanksha | Vinod Pandey |
| Mulaquat | Balraj | |
| Khoon Ka Sindoor | Minister Ashwini Kumar | |
| 1994 | Watan | |
| Jai Maa Vaishno Devi | ||
| Pathreela Raasta | ||
| Janam Se Pehle | ||
| Vaade Iraade | ||
| Mohini | Gandharv | |
| Sone Ki Sita | ||
| Aao Pyaar Karen | Suraj | |
| 1995 | Hum Sab Chor Hain | Police Commissioner |
| Kaala Sach | ||
| Reshma | ||
| 1996 | Himmatvar | Inspector Patil |
| 1997 | Uff! Yeh Mohabbat | Umang Usgaonkar |
| Vishwavidhaata | Mukesh Mathur | |
| Dharma Karma | Police Inspector | |
| Police Station | ||
| Bhayaanak Panja | ||
| 1999 | International Khiladi | Rahul's Father |
| Inteqam Aurat Ka | ||
| Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet | Arjun Singh | |
| Dil Ka Sauda | ||
| 2000 | Billa No. 786 | Virendra Singh (Pinky's dad) |
| Aaj Ka Ravan | ACP Rathod | |
| Tapish | ||
| Saamri | ||
| Mechanic Mamaiah(Telugu) | ||
| Yeh Hai Prem Janjaal | ||
| 2001 | Rupa Rani Ramkali | |
| Gumnam Hai Koi | Vinod Kumar Tripathi | |
| Arjun Devaa | Virendra Choudhry | |
| 2002 | Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge | Ex-Armyman |
| 2003 | Andaaz | Mr. Sahay |
| Parwana | Ganesh fest dancer/singer | |
| Baghban | Car salesman | |
| 2004 | Pati Ho To Aisa | |
| 2005 | Dhadkanein | Ravi Malhotra |
| Barsaat | Arav's Father | |
| 2006 | Mere Jeevan Saathi | |
| 2010 | Isi Life Mein | Nareshchand |
| 2011 | Elaan | |
| 2012 | Nakshatra | Sharma |
| 2013 | Mahabharat Aur Barbareek | Yudhisthra |
| 2014 | Kahin Hai Mera Pyar | Priya's father |
| 2016 | 1920: London | Tantrik Baba |
| 2018 | Ik Onkar | Chief Minister |
| 2019 | Maa Purnagiri | |
| Gunwali Dulhaniya | Mr. Rathore | |
| 2022 | Sher Gujjar | Narayan; Ravinder's father |
| Antaryatri Mahapurush- The Walking God | Mallappa Ji | |
| 2024 | 695 |
Television[edit]
| Year | Serial | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Bahadur Shah Zafar | Tatya Tope(Episode 8 & Episode 9) | DD National | |
| 1989–1990 | Mahabharat | MaharajYudhishthir | ||
| 1993 | Kanoon | Chandra Saxena | DD Metro | 14 episodes |
| 1994–2001 | Zee Horror Show | 1994 Saaya 11 Episodes/1995 Aatma 4 Episodes/1996 Jaal 6 Episodes/1998 Junoon 3 Episodes/ 1999 Vapsi 2 Episodes/Murti 3 Episodes/2000 Raat 2 Episodes. | Zee TV | |
| 1997 | Ghar Jamai | Sidhu Singh | Special Appearance only in Episode no 20 | |
| 1997 | Om Namah Shivay | MaharajKarthaveeryarjun | ||
| 2000 | Shree Ganesh | Parvat Raj Himalay | ||
| 2000 | Noorjahan | DD National | ||
| 2001 | Aane Wala Pal | DD Metro | ||
| Dushman | ||||
| Jaane Anjaane[29] | Prannath Vashisht | DD National | ||
| 2002 | Ramayan | Dasharath | Zee TV | |
| 2005–2006 | Sarkarr:Rishton Ki Ankahi Kahani | |||
| 2007 | Meri Doli Tere Angana | Mahendra | ||
| 2007–2008 | Raavan | MaharajDasharath | ||
| 2008–2009 | Naaginn | Naagdev | ||
| 2012 | Shobha Somnath Ki | |||
| Kya Hua Tera Vaada | Mr. Chopra | Sony Entertainment Television | ||
| 2013 | Adaalat | Colonel Desai & Justice Sharma | ||
| 2017 | Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman | Sumant | ||
| 2018 | Danga The Riot[30] | Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
References[edit]
- ^https:// aajtak.in/topic/gajendra-chauhan
- ^"गजेंद्र चौहान से संजय दत्त तक: मुसलमान हैं इन एक्टर्स की पत्नी, जानिए किसके हैं कितने बच्चे".jansatta(in Hindi). 23 July 2021.Retrieved17 December2023.
- ^D N Indujaa (10 October 2022)."Happy birthday to the veteran Actor Gajendra Chauhan's!!!".indiaherald.Retrieved17 December2023.
- ^"Gajendra Chauhan appointed V-C of Rohtak's varsity of performing arts".Hindustan Times.Retrieved9 December2021.
- ^"Gajendra Chauhan has political clout, but no star power".business-standard.Business Standard. 20 June 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 13 July 2015.Retrieved13 July2015.
- ^abGhosh, Paramita (20 June 2015)."My favourite film is 3 Idiots: Gajendra Chauhan, FTII chairman".hindustantimes.Hindustan Times. Archived fromthe originalon 15 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^abc"'I don't believe my credentials are bad…Let me perform,' says Gajendra Chauhan ".The Indian Express.18 June 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 10 July 2015.Retrieved10 July2015.
- ^abSharma, Suruchi."I'm 600 serials old now: Gajendra Chauhan".The Times of India.Archivedfrom the original on 29 July 2015.Retrieved10 July2015.
- ^"No one wants an ordinary man to occupy a big position".The Telegraph.21 June 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved6 August2015.
- ^"Gajendra Chauhan: A 34-year veteran of C-grade exploits",Times of India,11 July 2015,archivedfrom the original on 13 July 2015,retrieved13 July2015
- ^Ramakrishnan, Swetha (17 June 2015). "A career in forgettable cameos: Here is FTII chairman Gajendra Chauhan's filmography".Firstpost.
- ^abcSharma, Suruchi (6 February 2012)."I'm 600 series old now: Gajendra Chauhan".The Times of India.Archivedfrom the original on 29 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^ab"Yes, I have done adult films. But nobody is talking about my good films".rediff.Rediff Movies. 30 June 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 10 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^"Protests at Film Institute in Pune After Actor-BJP Member Gajendra Chauhan is Appointed Chief".ndtv.NDTV. 13 June 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 6 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^abJoshi, Yogesh (13 June 2015)."Mahabharat actor as FTII prez sparks students' protest over BJP link".hindustantimes.Hindustan Times.Archived fromthe originalon 22 June 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^ANI (16 June 2015)."AISA protests against Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as FTII chief".Business Standard India.Business Standard.Archivedfrom the original on 12 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^Kumar, Anij (18 June 2015)."I am a self-made man".thehindu.The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2020.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^"Students willing for talks, ministry still backs choice".The Times of India.10 July 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2017.Retrieved4 August2015.
- ^"Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore defends Gajendra Chauhan's selection as FTII chief".mid-day.Mid-Day. 11 July 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 12 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^PTI (10 July 2015)."Gajendra Chauhan chosen over icons as he could devote more time".indianexpress.Indian Express.Archivedfrom the original on 11 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^"FTII row: Top Bollywood personalities join chorus against Gajendra Chauhan".indiatoday.India Today. 9 July 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 11 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^Venugopal, Vasudha (11 July 2015)."Amitabh Bachchan could've been FTII chairman, but Modi govt ignored I&B list and selected Gajendra Chauhan".economictimes.The Economic Times.Archivedfrom the original on 13 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^"It is nothing to be happy or dissatisfied about: Jahnu Barua on Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as FTII chairman".ibnlive.IBN Live. 14 June 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 17 July 2015.Retrieved12 July2015.
- ^"Resul Pookutty on FTII Controversy: Gajendra Chauhan Cannot Inspire Students".NDTV. 2 July 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 28 July 2015.Retrieved6 August2015.
- ^"Rajkummar Rao, Amol Palekar demand Chauhan's removal".Business Standard.11 July 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 17 July 2015.Retrieved6 August2015.
- ^"'Gajendra Chauhan Who?': Veteran Actor Soumitra Chatterjee Backs FTII Protests ".NDTV. 3 August 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 6 August 2015.Retrieved6 August2015.
- ^"After Salman Khan and Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal speaks up against Gajendra Chauhan".DNA. 5 August 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 8 August 2015.Retrieved6 August2015.
- ^Ayyub, Rana."Opinion: Open Letter to Gajendra Chauhan from a Former Film Student".NDTV.Archivedfrom the original on 20 August 2019.Retrieved27 October2020.
- ^"Watch out for more on the father-son rift".Retrieved7 October2001.
- ^Bhowmik, Milan (27 April 2018),Danga the Riot(Drama, History),retrieved28 February2022
External links[edit]
Media related toGajendra Chauhanat Wikimedia Commons- Gajendra ChauhanatIMDb
