Pahlaj Nihalani

2021-07-25T18:36:59Z

24.184.182.10: /* As a producer */

{{short description|Indian film producer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
'''Pahlaj Nihalani''' is an Indian [[film producer]]. He was the former Chairman of [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC) under the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]].<ref name=NewChief>{{cite news|title=Pahlaj Nihalani new censor board chief, nine new members appointed|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pahlaj-nihalani-new-censor-board-chief-new-members-appointed/1/414156.html|access-date=28 January 2015|work=[[India Today]]|date=19 January 2015}}</ref> He was also the President of the [[Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers|Association of Pictures and TV Programme Producers]] for 29 years until he resigned in 2009.<ref name=Packet>{{cite news|title=Bigger the 'packet', more the rating, comments Pahlaj Nihalani on today's film reviews|url=http://www.nagpurtoday.in/bigger-the-packet-more-the-rating-comments-pahlaj-nihalani-on-todays-film-reviews/11281417|access-date=28 January 2015|work=Nagpur Today|date=28 November 2013}}</ref> He was sacked as CBFC chief on 11 August 2017 and soon [[Prasoon Joshi]] appointed as CBFC Chief by [[Smriti Irani]].

==Career==
Mr. Nihalani produced his first film in 1982 named [[Haathkadi (1982 film)|Haathkadi]]. His second film was [[Aandhi-Toofan]] in 1985. His third film <nowiki/>[[Ilzaam]] in 1986, is notable for being actor [[Govinda (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 (1992 film)|Shola Aur Shabnam]] and [[Aankhen (1993 film)|Aankhen]].<ref name=Packet/><ref name=AankhenRohit>{{cite news|title=Pahlaj Nihalani refused to sell the rights of Aankhen to Rohit Shettyankhen-to-Rohit-Shetty/articleshow/40240315.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 August 2014}}</ref>

In 2008, he made a cameo appearance in the film [[Halla Bol]].<ref name=Facts>{{cite news|title=Pahlaj Nihalani is the new censor board chief: Lesser known facts about the 'Shola Aur Shabnam' director|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/pahlaj-nihalani-is-the-new-censor-board-chief-some-lesser-known-facts-about-the-shola-aur-shabnam-director/|access-date=28 January 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=21 January 2015}}</ref> In 2012, he directed his first film, [[Avatar (Hindi film)|Avatar]], starring Govinda.<ref name=Avatar>{{cite news|title=Pahlaj Nihalani turns director with Govinda starrer Avatar|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/pahlaj-nihalani-turns-director-with-govinda-starrer-avatar-623895|access-date=28 January 2015|work=[[NDTV]]|date=12 March 2012}}</ref> In 2013, he said that he would help debut Govinda's daughter, [[Tina Ahuja]].<ref name=Narmada>{{cite news|title=Pahlaj Nihalani to launch Govinda's daughter Narmada|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/pahlaj-nihalani-to-launch-govinda-s-daughter-narmada_127225.html|access-date=28 January 2015|work=[[Zee News]]|date=1 February 2013}}</ref>

Before the 2014 general elections, he made a YouTube video called "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi", supporting Narendra Modi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/new-censor-board-chief-was-pahlaj-nihalani-rewarded-for-har-har-modi/story-8RzunbtAYsFPJCZVzRQVZN.html|title=New Censor Board chief: Was Pahlaj Nihalani rewarded for Har Har Modi?|date=20 January 2015|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

He took the office of the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 19 January 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/pahlaj-nihalani-is-the-new-censor-board-chief-some-lesser-known-facts-about-the-shola-aur-shabnam-director/|title=Pahlaj Nihalani is the new censor board chief: Lesser known facts about the 'Shola Aur Shabnam' director|date=21 January 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/censor-board-will-not-tolerate-abuse-says-new-chief/15938174|title=Censor Board will not tolerate abuse, says new chief|date=24 January 2015|website=mid-day}}</ref>

On 12 March 2015, two members of the CBFC, Ashoke Pandit and Chandraprakash Dwivedi, criticised the way in which Nihalani was running the organisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-rift-in-censor-board-ashoke-pandit-calls-pahlaj-nihalani-tyrant-2068291|title=Rift in Censor Board, Ashoke Pandit calls Pahlaj Nihalani 'tyrant'|date=12 March 2015|website=DNA India}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Music-video-on-PM-Modi-clubbed-with-Prem-Ratan-Dhan-Payo/articleshow/49764243.cms|title=Music video on PM Modi clubbed with 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' - Times of India ►|website=The Times of India}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/govt-planning-to-sack-censor-board-chief-pahlaj-nihalani-over-pm-modi-tribute-video-2522704.html|title=Govt planning to sack Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani over PM Modi tribute video- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=26 November 2015|website=Firstpost}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/film-censors-to-mr-bond-spectre-no-kissing-please-were-indian/|title=Film censors to Mr. Bond: No kissing please. We're Indian|date=19 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-sanskarijamesbond-twitter-mocks-pahlaj-nihalani-for-shortening-daniel-craig-s-kissing-scenes-2146543|title=The name's Bond, Sanskari Bond: Twitter mocks CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani|date=18 November 2015|website=DNA India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/censor-board-chief-pahlaj-nihalani-hits-out-at-critics/|title=Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani hits out at critics|date=24 November 2015}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/cbfc-chief-pahlaj-nihalani-iifa-awards-2017-legal-notice-1025911-2017-07-24|title=CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani slaps IIFA organisers with legal notice. Here is why|agency=Ist|newspaper=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/bollywood/2017/07/22/pahlaj-nihalani-files-defamation-suit-against-iifa|title=Pahlaj Nihalani Sends Legal Notice to IIFA For Defamation|website=The Quint}}</ref> This only added to his erratic public persona, where he has donned avatars from "I'm a Modi bhakt",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pahlaj-nihalani-modi-bhakt-13088-2016-06-08|title=Yes, I am a Modi bhakt, says censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani|agency=Ist|newspaper=India Today}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/sanksaari-pahlaj-nihalani-turns-distributor-for-julie-2/articleshow/60332210.cms|title='SANKSAARI' PAHLAJ NIHALANI TURNS DISTRIBUTOR FOR JULIE 2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/julie-2-trailer-pahlaj-nihalani-presents-raai-laxmi-in-a-super-hot-avatar-in-a-b-grade-film/story-9UicliFAD2Aqj7JjIzfZHJ.html|title=Julie 2 trailer: Pahlaj Nihalani presents Raai Laxmi in a super hot avatar in a B-grade film}}</ref>

==Controversy==
Nihalani is a supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and considers Narendra Modi his action hero.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Im-proud-to-be-a-BJP-man-and-Narendra-Modi-is-my-action-hero-new-censor-board-chief-Pahlaj-Nihalani-says/articleshow/45956537.cms|title=I'm proud to be a BJP man and Narendra Modi is my 'action hero', new censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani says - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Nihalani has expressed concerns regarding the existence of nudity online and on television.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Censor-board-chief-Pahlaj-Nihalani-Time-to-snip-nudity-on-TV-web/articleshow/45997678.cms|title=Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani: Time to snip nudity on TV, web - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pahlaj-nihalani-censor-board-chief-interview/article6823559.ece|title=I don't mind being called conservative: Pahlaj Nihalani|first=Omar|last=Rashid|date=26 January 2015|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

According to him, there should be policy on the censorship of nude pornstar-turned-actress Sunny Leone.<ref name="auto"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/cbfc-chief-pahalaj-nihalani-targets-sharmila-tagore-for-clearing-films-like-omkara/|title=CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani targets Sharmila Tagore for clearing films like 'Omkara'|date=17 February 2015}}</ref> He has claimed that normal and civilised people do not cuss in the manner depicted in films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/normal-people-dont-abuse-the-way-we-see-in-films-pahlaj-nihalani/|title=Pahlaj Nihalani: Normal people don't abuse the way we see in films|date=28 January 2015}}</ref>

Nihalani has said that producers should not make controversial films like PK. 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'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cbfc-chairman-pahlaj-nihalani-plans-film-to-show-ftii-students-as-anti-nationals/articleshow/49809325.cms?intenttarget=no|title=CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani plans film to show FTII students as 'anti nationals'|first=Vasudha|last=Venugopal|date=17 November 2015|via=The Economic Times}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pahlaj-nihalani-sacked-as-cbfc-chief-to-be-succeeded-by-prasoon-joshi/articleshow/60022954.cms |title=Pahlaj Nihalani sacked as CBFC chief, to be succeeded by Prasoon Joshi |work=[[Times of India]] |date=11 August 2017}}</ref> 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 (India)|the emergency period]], to be passed without cuts.<ref>{{cite news|title='Sacked As I Didn't Clear Indu Sarkar Without Cuts': Pahlaj Nihalani |url=http://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/clearing-indu-sarkar-without-cuts-main-reason-behind-my-sacking-says-pahlaj-nihalani-1739488 |access-date=20 August 2017 |work=[[NDTV]] |date=19 August 2017}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===As a producer===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:100%;"
|-
! style="width:50px;"| Year
! style="width:250px;"| Film
|-
| 1982
| ''[[Haathkadi (1982 film)|Haathkadi]]''
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Aandhi-Toofan]]''
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Ilzaam]]''
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Aag Hi Aag]]''
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Paap Ki Duniya]]''
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Gunahon Ka Faisla]]''
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Mitti Aur Sona]]''
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Aag Ka Gola]]''
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Aandhiyan]]''
|-
| 1991
| ''[[First Love Letter]]''
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Ek Aur Faulad]]''
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Shola Aur Shabnam (1992 film)|Shola Aur Shabnam]]''
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Aankhen (1993 film)|Aankhen]]''
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Andaz (1994 film)|Andaz]]''
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Dil Tera Diwana (1996 film)|Dil Tera Diwana]]''
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Bhai Bhai (1997 film)|Bhai Bhai]]''
|-
| 2001
| ''Uljhan''
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Talaash: The Hunt Begins...|Talaash]]''
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Khushboo (2008 film)|Khushboo]]''
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Julie 2]]''
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Rangeela Raja]]''
|-
|}

===As distributor===
*''[[Puli (2015 film)|Puli]]'' (2015) (Hindi version only)
*''Julie 2'' (2018)

==References==
{{Reflist|3}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|0631548}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nihalani, Pahlaj}}
[[Category:Hindi film producers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian film producers]]

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Pahlaj Nihalani