# Gajendra Chauhan

Gajendra Singh Chauhan known professionally as Gajendra Chauhan, is a former television actor known for his work on Indian television, especially his portrayal of Yudhishthira in the historical television series Mahabharat (1988–90). He has also had significant roles in a few B movies, and a larger number of cameo appearances in other films. In 2015, he was appointed chairman of the Film 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 of Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts in 2021.

## Early life and family

Gajendra was born on 10 October 1956, Delhi in a Rajput family. He did a diploma in radiography from AIIMS New Delhi, before he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting. There he studied acting in the school run by Roshan Taneja, who had previously taught at FTII.
Chauhan is married to Bollywood choreographer Habiba Rehman. They have a son, Shamsher Singh Chauhan.

## Acting career

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. His first break as an actor was in television series Paying Guest in 1983, and he went on to act in shows such as Rajni, Air Hostess and Adalat. The first acting part in a film that he did was in Main Chup Nahi Rahoongi in 1986. In reviews of his film career, Times of India and Firstpost wrote that he had played significant roles only in a few "C-grade" movies, with most of his other roles being cameo appearances, a few of which were in mainstream movie.

### Mahabharat

Chauhan was initially offered to play the role of Lord Krishna in the television series, and shot for two episodes of the series in this role. However filming for the first series was delayed, and Chauhan moved south to take on new work. Upon his return, Chauhan had put on weight and was considered unsuitable for the role of Krishna. He was later offered the role of Yudhishthira, which went on to being the role he has become better known by.

## Administration and politics

Chauhan has also been involved in the administration of Cinema and Television Artists Association for 20 years, and served as its president for a year. In 2004 Chauhan entered politics, and became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for which he has worked as the national convener for culture.

## Controversies

On 9 June 2015, Chauhan was appointed as the Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His appointment proved to be controversial amid allegations by students that it was a blatant attempt to "saffronize the institute". A section of left-wing students association, including All India Students Association (AISA) (the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation) continue to agitate. Chauhan requested the students to give him a year to prove himself, and insisted that he would be better than the previous chairpersons.
Among those who have supported Chauhan's appointment as FTII chairman are BJP supporters and politicians including Mukesh Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Hema Malini, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and Paintal. Many more including FTII alumni and former teachers, actors, film technicians, filmmakers, journalists and political leaders have opposed his appointment, prominent among whom include Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Anupam Kher, Piyush Mishra, Anand Patwardhan, Kiran Rao, Jahnu Barua, Salman Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Resul Pookutty, Rajkummar Rao, Amol Palekar, Soumitra Chatterjee, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Rana Ayyub.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1985 | Main Chup Nahi Rahungi | |
| 1985 | Lallu Ram | Sub Inspector |
| 1986 | Jungle Love | |
| 1989 | Khuli Khidki | Avinash |
| 1989 | Awara Zindagi | |
| 1991 | Vasna | |
| 1991 | Dancer | Joshi |
| 1991 | Jungle Ki Rani | |
| 1991 | Naagmani | |
| 1992 | Jungle Ka Beta | |
| 1992 | Jawani Janeman | |
| 1992 | Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare | Shibu |
| 1993 | Aakanksha | Vinod Pandey |
| 1993 | Mulaquat | Balraj |
| 1993 | Khoon Ka Sindoor | Minister Ashwini Kumar |
| 1994 | Watan | |
| 1994 | Jai Maa Vaishno Devi | |
| 1994 | Pathreela Raasta | |
| 1994 | Janam Se Pehle | |
| 1994 | Vaade Iraade | |
| 1994 | Mohini | Gandharv |
| 1994 | Sone Ki Sita | |
| 1994 | Aao Pyaar Karen | Suraj |
| 1995 | Hum Sab Chor Hain | Police Commissioner |
| 1995 | Kaala Sach | |
| 1995 | Reshma | |
| 1996 | Himmatvar | Inspector Patil |
| 1997 | Uff! Yeh Mohabbat | Umang Usgaonkar |
| 1997 | Vishwavidhaata | Mukesh Mathur |
| 1997 | Dharma Karma | Police Inspector |
| 1997 | Police Station | |
| 1997 | Bhayaanak Panja | |
| 1999 | International Khiladi | Rahul's Father |
| 1999 | Inteqam Aurat Ka | |
| 1999 | Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet | Arjun Singh |
| 1999 | Dil Ka Sauda | |
| 2000 | Billa No. 786 | Virendra Singh (Pinky's dad) |
| 2000 | Aaj Ka Ravan | ACP Rathod |
| 2000 | Tapish | |
| 2000 | Saamri | |
| 2000 | Mechanic Mamaiah (Telugu) | |
| 2000 | Yeh Hai Prem Janjaal | |
| 2001 | Rupa Rani Ramkali | |
| 2001 | Gumnam Hai Koi | Vinod Kumar Tripathi |
| 2001 | Arjun Devaa | Virendra Choudhry |
| 2002 | Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge | Ex-Armyman |
| 2003 | Andaaz | Mr. Sahay |
| 2003 | Parwana | Ganesh fest dancer/singer |
| 2003 | Baghban | Car salesman |
| 2004 | Pati Ho To Aisa | |
| 2005 | Dhadkanein | Ravi Malhotra |
| 2005 | 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 | |
| 2019 | Gunwali Dulhaniya | Mr. Rathore |
| 2022 | Sher Gujjar | Narayan; Ravinder's father |
| 2022 | Antaryatri Mahapurush- The Walking God | Mallappa Ji |
| 2024 | 695 | |

## Television

| Year | Serial | Role | Channel | Notes |
| 1986 | Bahadur Shah Zafar | Tatya Tope (Episode 8 & Episode 9) | DD National | |
| 1989–1990 | Mahabharat | Maharaj Yudhishthir | DD National | |
| 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 | Zee TV | Special Appearance only in Episode no 20 |
| 1997 | Om Namah Shivay | Daksha Prajapati/Maharaj Karthaveeryarjun | |
| 2000 | Shree Ganesh | Parvat Raj Himalay | |
| 2000 | Noorjahan | | DD National | |
| 2001 | Aane Wala Pal | | DD Metro | |
| 2001 | Dushman | | DD Metro | |
| 2001 | Jaane Anjaane | Prannath Vashisht | DD National | |
| 2002 | Ramayan | Dasharath | Zee TV | |
| 2005–2006 | Sarkarr:Rishton Ki Ankahi Kahani | | Zee TV | |
| 2007 | Meri Doli Tere Angana | Mahendra | Zee TV | |
| 2007–2008 | Raavan | Maharaj Dasharath | Zee TV | |
| 2008–2009 | Naaginn | Naagdev | Zee TV | |
| 2012 | Shobha Somnath Ki | | Zee TV | |
| 2012 | Kya Hua Tera Vaada | Mr. Chopra | Sony Entertainment Television | |
| 2013 | Adaalat | Colonel Desai & Justice Sharma | Sony Entertainment Television | |
| 2017 | Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman | Sumant | Sony Entertainment Television | |
| 2018 | Danga The Riot | Shyama Prasad Mukherjee | | |