Pahlaj Nihalani dies: Remembering the producer who shaped 90s Bollywood and courted controversy at CBFC

Film producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani died on Thursday, June 4, at the age of 76. He had reportedly been battling liver-related ailments and was admitted to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai.

Born on January 10, 1950, in Mumbai into a Sindhi family, Nihalani built his career as a mainstream Hindi film producer known for commercial entertainers. He entered film production in 1982 with Haathkadi, starring Shatrughan Sinha, and went on to establish himself as a prominent name in commercial Hindi cinema.

His early credits included Aandhi-Toofan (1985), Ilzaam (1986), which marked Govinda’s debut as a lead actor, and Aag Hi Aag (1987), which introduced Chunky Panday to Hindi films. He later produced Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), which introduced Divya Bharti, and Aankhen (1993), starring Govinda and Chunky Panday, which became one of his biggest commercial successes. He also produced films such as Gunahon Ka Faisla, Paap Ki Duniya, Mitti Aur Sona, Andaz and Talaash (2003).

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Beyond production, Nihalani served as president of the Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers for 29 years. He also briefly turned director with

Avatar (2012), starring Govinda, and made a cameo appearance in the 2008 film Halla Bol.

In January 2015, he was appointed chairperson of the CBFC, a position he held until August 2017. His tenure became one of the most debated in recent years, marked by multiple controversies over film certification and censorship decisions.

Several of his rulings drew widespread industry criticism, including cuts in the James Bond film Spectre, certification disputes over Aligarh and Unfreedom, and the initial refusal of Lipstick Under My Burkha. The CBFC under his leadership also recommended extensive cuts to Udta Punjab, a decision later overturned by the Bombay High Court, which allowed the film’s release with only one cut.

He was also criticised for introducing a list of restricted words and stricter certification guidelines during his tenure.

After being replaced as CBFC chairperson in August 2017 by lyricist Prasoon Joshi, he continued to work in films, including Rangeela Raja (2019).

Nihalani is survived by his wife Nita and three sons, Vishal, Deepesh and Chirag.

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