NYU says a former film professor is chewing the scenery in his battle over James Franco’s grades.

School officials slammed ex-Professor José Angel Santana as a publicity hound for going public with claims that NYUl had sacked him for giving the Hollywood actor a “D” in a film class, as The Post exclusively reported yesterday.

“It is regrettable and disappointing to see a faculty member — former or otherwise — discuss any student’s grade for the purpose of personal publicity,” said NYU spokesman John Beckman.

The school said yesterday that Santana wasn’t terminated, but admitted that it didn’t renew his teaching contract.