New Delhi: Veteran film producer and former CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani died on Thursday at his Mumbai residence. He was 76.
Nihalani’s family, in a statement, said that the last rites of the producer will be held at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium at 3 pm.
“With profound grief, we inform you of the passing of our beloved Pahlaj Nihalani on 4th June 2026. The cremation ceremony will be held today, 04.06.2026 at 3 pm at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers as we bid a final farewell,” the statement read.
Nihalani’s career in Bollywood spanned over four decades. He is widely remembered for giving Govinda his first major break by producing Ilzaam (1986). The film was Nihalani’s third production. He also launched Chunky Panday with Aag Hi Aag (1987).
During the 1980s and 1990s, Nihalani produced several commercially successful films, including Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988), Paap Ki Duniya (1988), Mitti Aur Sona (1989), Andhiyan (1990), Ghayal (1990), and Shola Shabnam (1992). Among them, Aankhe (1993), directed by David Dhawan and starring Govinda, emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of its time, cementing Nihalani’s reputation as a successful producer with a keen eye for commercially appealing stories.
After establishing himself as a producer, he appeared in a cameo role in the 2008 film Halla Bol, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and starring Ajay Devgn and Vidya Balan, playing a fictional version of himself.
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A controversial CBFC chief
In 2014, Nihalani entered politics by producing the music video ‘Har Ghar Modi’, expressing support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the general election campaign. He later produced another promotional video featuring clips from films and political rallies of Shatrughan Sinha. The song was sung by Udit Narayan.
The following year, Nihalani was appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). His tenure quickly became controversial. Following the CBFC’s refusal to certify the award-winning 2016 film Lipstick Under My Burkha, filmmaker and censor board member Ashoke Pandit publicly criticised Nihalani’s leadership.
“By very arrogantly refusing to give a certificate to a maker like Prakash Jha, you are breaking the confidence of the artist, the filmmaker, the creator,” Pandit had told ANI.
“I appeal on behalf of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association and other associations that immediate action should be taken on the recommendations of the Shyam Benegal Committee,” he added.
During Nihalani’s tenure, a kissing scene in the James Bond film Spectre (2015) was shortened before its release in India, sparking a wider debate about censorship and creative freedom.
In 2017, Nihalani was replaced as CBFC chairperson by Prasoon Joshi. The same year, he became distributor and presenter of the erotic movie Julie 2, directed by Deepak Shivdasani. Defending the film at the time, he had said that the film “does not have scenes of obscenity or vulgarity and is a completely adult family film”.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)