By Sharanya Gopinathan

Gajendra Chauhan, the Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India was controversial before his tenure began, when students and filmmakers voiced how disgusted they were that someone with shaky credentials, a history of acting in adult movies and a love for the BJP that bordered on the illegal was becoming the chairman of the prestigious institute. His tenure ends tomorrow, and despite having fought valiantly for the post, he came to the Institute a sum total of one time during his reign.

Could be that he was busy tweeting. Yesterday, he responded to this tweet by award-winning documentary editor Jabeen Merchant about how the FTII does not provide hostel facilities to students, and proceeded to get publicly and properly slammed.

#FTII is a state funded film school meant for every Indian citizen. Denying students hostels means only the rich can join. @FTIIWisdomTree pic.twitter.com/BlrJKVfz2g

— Jabeen Merchant (@jabeenmerchant) March 4, 2017

@jabeenmerchant @FTIIWisdomTree spreading rumours is anti organisation & bad in taste.

— Gajendra chauhan (@Gajjusay) March 5, 2017

Merchant wasn’t having any of it.

@Gajjusay Mr Chauhan we’re quoting the FTII website. Do you put up rumours there? @FTIIWisdomTree

— Jabeen Merchant (@jabeenmerchant) March 5, 2017

Lol! Her tweet effectively silenced our man @Gajjusay, who has been extremely silent on Twitter ever since.