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Filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani is the new Censor Board chief
Filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani was appointed chairperson of the Censor Board on Monday, days after Leela Samson resigned as its chief alleging interference by the government in its matters.
The government Monday appointed film-maker Pahlaj Nihalani — who made the Har Har Modi video campaign — as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, apart from nine new members, including a former BJP national secretary and a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activist.
The new board comprises Mihir Bhuta, a noted scriptwriter whose works include the Mahabharata television series, film-maker Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, who directed the TV series Chanakya, Ramesh Patange, the former editor of an RSS affiliated weekly, actor George Baker, Tamil film producer S Ve Shekhar, Prof Syed Abdul Bari, actor and BJP leader Jeevitha, former BJP national secretary national Vani Tripathi Tikoo and director Ashoke Pandit.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of 1952) read with rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, the Central Government is pleased to appoint Shri Pahlaj Nihalani as Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification in an honorary capacity from 19th January, 2015 for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” a government release said The appointments follow last week’s controversy involving the previous chairperson Leela Samson, who along with nine colleagues, resigned in protest against government influence on the board.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of 1952) read with rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, the Central Government is pleased to appoint the following persons as members of the Central Board of Film Certification with immediate effect for a period of three years and until further orders,” the release stated.
