Veteran Bollywood producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness, bringing to a close a career that spanned more than four decades in the Indian film industry. He was 76 and had reportedly been battling serious health complications for some time.
Nihalani was a prominent name in commercial Hindi cinema, having produced several successful films including Aankhen (1993), Andaz (1994), Talaash (2003), Julie 2 (2017) and Rangeela Raja (2019). He also played a key role in launching the careers of actors such as Govinda and Chunky Pandey through films like Ilzaam and Aag Hi Aag. Beyond film production, he served as president of the Association of Pictures and TV Programme Producers for nearly three decades before taking over as CBFC chief in 2015.
As chairman of the country’s film certification body, Nihalani often found himself at the centre of public debate over censorship and creative freedom. His tenure was marked by several high-profile controversies, including the extensive cuts proposed for films such as Udta Punjab and the editing of intimate scenes in the James Bond film Spectre. His strict approach to film certification earned him both supporters and critics across the entertainment industry.
According to reports, the veteran producer had been unwell for some time and had previously undergone lengthy hospitalisation for serious health issues. News of his demise has prompted an outpouring of tributes from members of the film fraternity, many of whom remembered him as a passionate producer and an influential figure in Indian cinema.
With his passing, Bollywood bids farewell to one of its most recognisable producers and a former film certification chief whose decisions often shaped national conversations around cinema, creativity and censorship.