Film Industry Mourns the Loss of Pahlaj Nihalani: A Controversial CBFC Chief

The film industry mourns the passing of Pahlaj Nihalani, a prominent yet controversial figure in Bollywood. His last rites were attended by numerous celebrities, reflecting his impact on the industry. Nihalani, known for his role as the head of the CBFC, sparked debates on censorship and creative freedom. His career began in the 1980s, producing films that launched the careers of stars like Govinda and Chunky Pandey. As the industry remembers him, his legacy continues to influence discussions around film certification and artistic expression in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 4, 2026, 19:51 IST

Final Farewell to Pahlaj Nihalani

In Mumbai, the film community gathered in large numbers on Thursday to pay their respects at the Santa Cruz crematorium for the late filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani.

Notable attendees included actors Govinda, Farhan Akhtar, Shatrughan Sinha, Varun Dhawan, Govind Namdev, Kunal Kapoor, producers Ramesh Taurani, Boney Kapoor, and actress Neelam Kothari.

Filmmakers such as Anees Bazmee, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sunil Darshan, David Dhawan, along with his son Rohit Dhawan, actress Malaika Arora, and actor Saif Ali Khan also came to honor Nihalani, who passed away at the age of 76 after a prolonged illness.

Pahlaj Nihalani, often referred to as the most controversial head of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), had a significant presence in the Hindi film industry for many years. He began his career as a film producer in the early 1980s after transitioning from the hotel sector, where he was also a member of the Hotel Owners Association.

His first production, Haathkadi, debuted in 1982, followed by Aandhi-Toofan in 1985. He was instrumental in launching Govinda's career with the film Ilzaam and introduced Chunky Pandey to the industry with Aag Hi Aag a year later.

Nihalani's time as CBFC chief sparked extensive debate regarding censorship, certification policies, and creative liberties in Indian cinema, particularly highlighted by the film Udta Punjab. His decisions during this period attracted significant attention from both filmmakers and audiences. Beyond his production and regulatory roles, he played a vital part in shaping the commercial and institutional aspects of the Hindi film industry.