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Bollywood Stars Unite to Remember Pahlaj Nihalani: A Tribute to a Legendary Producer

The Bollywood community came together to honor the late producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who passed away on June 4. A prayer meeting held in his memory saw the attendance of numerous stars, including Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, and Anil Kapoor. Nihalani, known for his impactful films and support for emerging artists, left a significant mark on the industry. His legacy continues through the many lives he touched. Read on to find out more about the tributes and memories shared by his colleagues.
By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 6, 2026, 21:11 IST

A Heartfelt Farewell to Pahlaj Nihalani

On June 4, the film industry mourned the loss of producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who passed away at Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital. His funeral took place the same day, attended by numerous actors and filmmakers who came to pay their respects. A prayer meeting was held on June 6, drawing many stars who had previously worked with Nihalani to honor his memory.


Stars Gather to Honor a Film Icon

Following the funeral, a prayer meeting was organized by Nihalani's family in Juhu, Mumbai. Notable figures such as Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha were among the first to arrive, paying tribute to the filmmaker. Nihalani's career began with the film Haathkadi in 1982, featuring Shatrughan in the lead role.



Later, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Farhan Akhtar with his wife Shibani Dandekar, Shweta Bachchan, Zoya Akhtar, Anupam Kher, and director David Dhawan were also seen at the prayer meeting, offering their condolences. Farhan had previously attended Nihalani's funeral.




Other attendees included actors Fardeen Khan, Rajpal Yadav, Chunky Panday, Kritika Kamra, Rakesh Bedi, Raj Babbar, composer Anu Malik, FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit, and Arhaan Khan, son of Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora, all present to pay their respects.


Legacy of Pahlaj Nihalani

Nihalani's illustrious career included producing films like Ilzaam, which launched Govinda's career, as well as Aag Hi Aag, Andhiyan, Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, Dil Tere Diwana, and Julie 2. His last film, Rangeela Raja (2019), featured Govinda once again.



During the funeral, an emotional Govinda expressed, "Pahlaj Nihalani ji was a pillar for many of us," highlighting how he supported numerous artists from challenging backgrounds in Bollywood.


Nihalani's tenure as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) from January 2015 to August 2017 was marked by controversies due to his implementation of strict guidelines for film censorship. He was succeeded by lyricist Prasoon Joshi. Nihalani is survived by his wife Nita and sons Vishal and Chirag.