Pahlaj Nihalani

Career

Mr. Nihalani produced his first film in 1982 named Haathkadi. His second film was Aandhi-Toofan in 1985. His third film Ilzaam in 1986, is notable for being actor Govinda's debut. His film, Aag Hi Aag in 1987, also served as the debut for Chunky Pandey. He then went on to produce Gunahon Ka Faisla in 1987, and Paap Ki Duniya in 1988. In 1989, the film Mitti Aur Sona, starring Chunky Pandey and Neelam Kothari. He has also produced films such as Shola Aur Shabnam and Aankhen.

In 2008, he made a cameo appearance in the film Halla Bol. In 2012, he directed his first film, Avatar, starring Govinda. In 2013, he said that he would help debut Govinda's daughter, Tina Ahuja.

Before the 2014 general elections, he made a YouTube video called "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi", supporting Narendra Modi.[1]

He took the office of the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 19 January 2015.[2] Soon after his appointment he floated a new set of extremely strict guidelines under which few curse words will not be allowed even in the 'A' category. He also said that depiction of violence against women will be discouraged and it will be ensured that no content which may hurt religious sentiments will be allowed.[3]

On 12 March 2015, two members of the CBFC, Ashoke Pandit and Chandraprakash Dwivedi, criticised the way in which Nihalani was running the organisation.[4] On 9 July 2015, he implemented a new rule under which A-rated films were no longer allowed for television broadcast. Earlier, A-rated films could be re-cut, to achieve U or U/A rating and released on television. Nihalani justified his decision by saying that past A-rated films contained horror or violence, but most recent A-rated films have sexual themes and so they cannot be re-cut. He changed this view later and has allowed re-certification of films presently.

On 10 November 2015, a music video called "Mera Desh Mahaan", produced by Nihalani as a tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was uploaded to YouTube. A shorter version of the video was played in film theatres during the interval of the film Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.[5]. The video was reported to have caused major personal embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was slammed by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India which reportedly also called for Nihalani to be sacked from his position.[6]

After the kissing scenes in the James Bond franchise film Spectre were shortened before release, Nihalani attracted criticism on the social media. Nihalani responded to the criticism by stating that cuts were within the rules.[7][8][9]

On 4 June 2016, he became the centre of a national debate on film censorship after he placed severe restrictions on the film, Udta Punjab. On 13 June 2016, Udta Punjab won the case against CBFC. It was allowed to release with just one cut against the 89 cuts suggested by Pahlaj Nihalani-headed censor board, upholding the freedom of speech. On 15 June 2016 udta Punjab went viral on torrent having watermark of 'For Censor' in an alleged leak from the CBFC.

On 22 June, he issued a legal notice against IIFA awards and Wizcraft (the award show event management company) for defamation and inappropriate remarks about him during a comedy skit. He stated “these people forget they insult not me but the position held by me as the chairperson of the CBFC. It’s time to let them know the joke is not on me.”

With his legal notice to IIFA 2017, Mr Nihlani in his capacity as allegedly denigrated Chairperson CBFC oddly sought to censor award show events which was not part of said job mandate[10][11]. This only added to his erratic public persona, where he has donned avatars from "I'm a Modi bhakt"[12], Chairman CBFC, his film persona etc. Actor Riteish Deshmukh & Wizcraft chose to apologise for the IIFA skit subsequently.

In 2017, after sacking from CBFC, Pahlaj Nihalani became the distributor of the erotic film Julie 2.

Controversy

Nihalani is a supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and considers Narendra Modi his action hero.[13] Nihalani has expressed concerns regarding the existence of nudity online and on television.[14][15]

According to him, there should be policy on the censorship of nude pornstar-turned-actress Sunny Leone.[16]. He also believes that movies should not contain cuss words. He has said that film with cuss words like, Omkara and Gangs of Wasseypur, should not have been approved for release.[17] He has claimed that normal and civilised people do not cuss in the manner depicted in films.[18]

Nihalani has said that producers should not make controversial films like PK.[23] Nihalani has proposed that the existing system of film ratings should be replaced by a new system. He has also condemned the protests of FTII students against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the Chairman, by calling them 'anti-nationals'.[19] In 2017, he disallowed the word "intercourse" in the trailer of 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' citing the fact that Indian mentality isn't ready for such progressiveness yet. He was criticised for his seemingly hypocritical stance as he had produced a film called Andaz in 1994, which had songs that glorified erections (Khada Hai) and the bump and grind of intercourse (Main Maal Gaadi) the very word he wished to censor.

In August 2017, Nihlani was eventually sacked and replaced by noted ad-man & poet Prasoon Joshi after a controversial stint at the CBFC. In an interview soon after his removal from the post, Nihalani claimed that he was removed by the Government because he did not allow Indu Sarkar, a film about the emergency period, to be passed without cuts.