Pahlaj Nihalani has been removed as chief of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and replaced by noted lyricist Prasoon Joshi, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri said.
Talking to indianexpress.com, CBFC member and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said, “Yes, it is correct. Pahlaj Nihalani had to resign from his chairmanship. Recently there was a lot of friction in the working of the CBFC.”
Ashoke also confirmed noted Bollywood lyricist-screenwriter and ad guru Prasoon Joshi will replace Pahlaj Nihalani as CBFC chairman.
Welcoming the move, Madhur Bhandarkar said, “The upcoming chief has come from the advertising background. He is a lyricist also. I applaud Smirti Irani and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore for the change. I know only as much as you know. I heard that Nihalani has been asked to step down. I hope for the best.”
Pahlaj Nihalani’s tenure as CBFC chief was riddled with controversies. Movies like Aligarh, Udta Punjab, Unfreedom, Ka Bodyscape, Lipstick Under My Burkha, Indu Sarkar and Babumoshai Bandookbaaz among others had to face the brunt of CBFC during Nihalani’s stewardship.
Pahlaj Nihalani began his career as a small-time distributor at the age of 14. He started his own distribution company in 1975 and branched into producing films. Shola Aur Shabnam, Dil Tera Deewana, Aankhen and Andaaz are some of the blockbusters he has produced. Before he was appointed the chairperson of CBFC, Nihalani produced BJP’s campaign video for the 2014 general elections, Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi.