Pahlaj Nihalani

Pahlaj Nihalani is the current Chairman of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India.[1] He was a film producer. He was also the President of the Association of Pictures and TV Programme Producers for 29 years until he resigned in 2009.[2]

Career

Nihalani produced his first film in 1982 named Haathkadi. His second film was Aandhi-Toofan in 1985. His third film Ilzaam in 1986, is notable for being 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 and Aankhen.[2][3]

In 2008, he made a cameo appearance in the film Halla Bol.[4] In 2012, he directed his first film, Avatar, starring Govinda.[5] In 2013, he said that he would help debut Govinda's daughter, Tina Ahuja.[6] Before the 2014 general elections, he made a YouTube video called "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi", supporting Narendra Modi.[7]

He took the office of the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 19 January 2015.[4] Soon after his aappointment 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.[8]

On 12 March 2015, two members of the CBFC, Ashoke Pandit and Chandraprakash Dwivedi, criticised the way in which Nihalani was running the organisation.[9] 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.[10] He has 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.[11] 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.[12]

After the kissing scenes in the 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.[13][14][15]

On the 4th of 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' which points finger at him for leak of movie.

Personal views and opinions

Nihalani is a supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and considers Narendra Modi his action hero.[16] Nihalani has expressed concerns regarding the existence of nudity online and on television.[17][18] According to him, there should be policy on the censorship of nude pornstar-turned-actress Sunny Leone.[18] Nihalani holds the view that films 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.[19] He has claimed that normal and civilised people do not cuss in the manner depicted in films.[20] Nihalani has said that producers should not make controversial films like PK.[21] 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'.[22][23]

Filmography

As a producer

Year Film
1982 Haathkadi
1985 Aandhi-Toofan
1986 Ilzaam
1988 Paap Ki Duniya
1989 Mitti Aur Sona
1990 Aag Ka Gola
1991 First Love Letter
1991 Ek Aur Faulad
1992 Shola Aur Shabnam
1993 Aankhen
1994 Andaz
1996 Dil Tera Diwana
1997 Bhai Bhai
2001 Uljhan
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins...
2008 Khushboo

As a director

Year Film
Production began in 2012 AVATAR

References

  1. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani new censor board chief, nine new members appointed". India Today. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Bigger the 'packet', more the rating, comments Pahlaj Nihalani on today's film reviews". Nagpur Today. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani refused to sell the rights of Aankhen to Rohit Shettyankhen-to-Rohit-Shetty/articleshow/40240315.cms". The Times of India. 14 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Pahlaj Nihalani is the new censor board chief: Lesser known facts about the 'Shola Aur Shabnam' director". The Indian Express. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani turns director with Govinda starrer Avatar". NDTV. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani to launch Govinda`s daughter Narmada". Zee News. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "New Censor Board chief: Was Pahlaj Nihalani rewarded for Har Har Modi?". Hindustan Times. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Censor Board will not tolerate abuse, says new chief". Mid Day. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Rift in Censor Board, Ashoke Pandit calls Pahlaj Nihalani 'tyrant'". DNA India. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Shocker! Adult Films Won't Be Re-Censored For TV!". 9xe. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "Music video on PM Modi clubbed with 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo'". The Times of India. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  12. ↑ FP Staff (26 November 2015). "Govt planning to sack Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani over PM Modi tribute video". FirstPost. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "The name's Bond, Sanskari Bond: Twitter mocks CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani". DNA India. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  14. ↑ "Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani hits out at critics". The Indian Express. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Film censors to Mr. Bond: No kissing please. We're Indian". The Indian Express. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "I'm proud to be a BJP man and Narendra Modi is my 'action hero', new censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani says". The Times of India. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani: Time to snip nudity on TV, web". The Times of India. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  18. 1 2 "I don't mind being called conservative: Pahlaj Nihalani". The Hindu. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani targets Sharmila Tagore for clearing films like 'Omkara'". The Indian Express. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  20. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani: Normal people don't abuse the way we see in films". The Indian Express. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Producers Should Not Make Controversial Movies". Boom Live. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "You want to do sex in your house with your door open". Pune Mirror. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  23. ↑ "CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani plans film to show FTII students as 'anti nationals'". The Economic Times. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.

External links

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