Pahlaj Nihalani, producer and former CBFC chief, dies at 76

Mumbai (PTI): Pahlaj Nihalani, the veteran producer and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), died on Thursday. He was 76.

Nihalani passed away at his residence in Bandra. His last rites were performed at the Santacruz Hindu crematorium.

Actor Govinda, who got his big break with Nihalani's 1986 production "Ilzaam", visited the producer's residence to pay his last respects.

The actor also attended the last rites of the producer.

"Pahlaj Nihalani ji laid the foundation stone for so many of us. Several artists, including me, who rose from difficult and financially challenging circumstances, received his support and encouragement.

"There must be at least a dozen artists in the country whose careers were shaped by his guidance. Pahlaj ji had a rare ability to identify talent and help people rise from the ground to great heights. It was a gift bestowed upon him by God," Govinda told PTI.

Others who paid their last respects to the producer included filmmakers Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Anees Bazmee, David Dhawan and sons Rohit and Varun, Boney Kapoor, Ramesh Sippy and Abhishek Kapoor.

Veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha also attended Nihalani's funeral.

"He was one of our closest friends and a family friend. Our association with him goes back many years. He was a great filmmaker, a wonderful human being, a sincere friend, and a person with an outstanding personality. He also served as the chairman of the censor board. He gave us many blockbuster films. Above all, what stood out most was his humanity," he told PTI.

Nihalani started his career as a producer with the 1982 movie "Haathkadi". He is widely credited for giving actor Govinda his first big break with the 1986 movie "Ilzaam". He also introduced actor Chunky Panday with "Aag Hi Aag" in 1987.

His other producing credits included "Shola Aur Shabnam", "Aankhen", "Dil Tera Diwana", "Talaash" and "Rangeela Raja".

In January 2015, Nihalani was appointed as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification. His tenure, which lasted until August 2017, was riddled with controversies and was marked by frequent run-ins with filmmakers over cuts, disclaimers and certification decisions.

During his stint, he introduced strict new guidelines that barred certain expletives even in 'A'-rated films, trimmed kissing scenes, and restricted content that could be seen as hurting religious sentiments or depicting violence.

"Spectre", Daniel Craig's 2015 James Bond movie, was released only after its kissing scenes were heavily trimmed, while the makers of another Hollywood title "Fifty Shades of Grey" had to edit out sexual content before it could be cleared.

Among the Indian filmmakers, Pan Nalin's female buddy film "Angry Indian Goddesses" and Abhishek Chaubey's "Udta Punjab", starring Alia Bhatt, Shahid Kapoor, Diljit Dosanjh and Kareena Kapoor Khan, ran in trouble with the board over multiple cuts.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati, the current chairperson of the CBFC, condoled his death in a post on X.

"Heartfelt condolences from the entire CBFC family on the demise of former CBFC Chairperson Shri Pahlaj Nihalani," he wrote.

He is survived by his wife, Nita Nihalani, and three sons.