Former CBFC chairperson and filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani dies at 76

Former CBFC chief and Bollywood filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani has died at 76 after battling health issues.

Film producer and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Pahlaj Nihalani,has died at the age of 76. According to a report in India Today, he had been unwell for some time. It is also reported that he was suffering from liver-related health issues.

Pahlaj Nihalani dies at 76.

Pahlaj Nihalani dies

Nihalani served as the CBFC chairperson between 2015 and 2017. His tenure frequently made headlines as debates over censorship and film certification intensified. He was one of the most talked-about CBFC chiefs in recent years due to his strict censorship policies and mandates. He stepped down from the position on August 11, 2017, following which Prasoon Joshi was appointed as the new CBFC chairperson.

Known for shaping mainstream Bollywood in the 1980s and 1990s through a string of commercial entertainers, Nihalani also played a key role in launching several actors. He famously introduced stars such as Govinda with Ilzaam and Chunky Pandey with Aag Hi Aag.

Pahlaj Nihalani's film career

Nihalani began his journey as a producer in 1982 with Haathkadi. Under his production banner, he delivered several successful films directed by David Dhawan, most notably Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) and Aankhen (1993), both of which became major hits. Over the years, he backed a number of Bollywood projects, including Andaz, Talaash, Rangeela Raja and Julie 2.

Pahlaj Nihalani is survived by his wife, Nita, and his three sons, Vishal, Deepesh and Chirag.