Gem Of A Person: Sunny Deol, Kangana Ranaut Pay Tribute To Pahlaj Nihalani

The

demise of veteran film producer and former CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani on June 4, 2026, made the film industry pause to remember the man behind some of the commercially defining decades of the industry. Nihalani, 76, died at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital after a prolonged battle with liver cirrhosis. Sunny Deol, alongside Kangana Ranaut, Randeep Hooda and Moshumi Chatterjee, remembered his decade-long commitment to Indian cinema. The producer who launched the now household names like Govinda and Chunky Panday later also led the censor board through its most debated tenures, leaving behind a layered legacy after his death.

“His smile will always be with me”: How the industry said goodbye

Tributes poured in from across the film industry within hours of Nihalani’s demise. Kangana Ranaut remembered Nihalani, saying, “a producer who backed numerous films, launched and supported many artists, and remained passionately committed to Indian cinema for decades,” extending her heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. While sharing a throwback picture, Border 2 actor Sunny Deol wrote that Nihalani was “a very dear friend, a family, a gem of a person always ready to help anyone,” adding further, he said that Pahlaj’s warmth and smile would stay with him forever.

Randeep Hooda also expressed grief, writing, “Saddened by the passing of Pahlaj Nihalani ji. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.” Among them was Moshumi Chatterjee, who extended her condolences. She said, “He Has Given Us So Many Good Films. He Added So Much To The Entertainment Industry. I Was Lucky To Have Worked With Him,” adding further she extended prayers for his family.

From Star-Maker To Censor Chief: A Career That Defined An Era

Pahlaj Nihalani produced his first film, Haathkadi, in 1982 before giving Govinda his break in Bollywood, with Ilzaam in 1986. In the following year, he gave Chunky Panday his Bollywood debut in Aag Hi Aag 1987 and in the year 1993, Chunky Panday and Nihalani’s collaboration gave Bollywood its highest-grossing film of the year. Nihalani, later in his career, also served as president of the Association of Motion Picture and TV Programme Producers for close to three decades.

In the year 2015, he shifted his career graph completely after taking over as CBFC chairperson and soon after, he countered controversies involving films like Udta Punjab, Lipstick Under My Burkha. His move to circulate a list of 34 words banned from films drew fierce backlash from across the industry. He was later replaced as the CBFC chairperson in the year 2017 by Paroon Joshi.