On Thursday, June 4, 2026, renowned film producer and former Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Pahlaj Nihalani, passed away at 76 years old in Mumbai. He had been hospitalized at Nanavati Hospital following several months of battling liver cirrhosis. His funeral services will be performed at Santacruz Crematorium in Mumbai.
Pahlaj’s death marks the conclusion of a long and productive career spanning over four decades, he had made a substantial impact through his work as both a successful producer and as one of the most controversial chairmen for India’s Film Certification Authority.
Veteran Bollywood Producer Breathes His Last in Mumbai
Pahlaj entered the Film Industry in the early 1980’s from a Business family. He quickly made his name as an important producer of mainstream commercial cinema. Pahlaj’s first produced project was Haathkadi which led to multiple successful productions including Aandhi-Toofan, Paap Ki Duniya, Shola Aur Shabnam, and Aankhen, the last of which would remain one of the largest box office successes from the 1990s and solidified his status as a successful Producer.
Nihalani also played a significant role in furthering the careers of many actors. He was the producer of Ilzaam, which was the first movie for Govinda and he developed a production deal with Chunky Pandey, who had his first movie in Hindi, Aag Hi Aag. He went on to further his reputation as a producer of mass entertainment films that appealed to audiences throughout the country.
Controversial Face of Film Certification
Despite having great success, Nihalani’s real claim to fame was the time he spent as the Chair of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which got him a lot of media attention during 2015, when the Central Government of India appointed him as Chairman of the CBFC to replace the previous Chairman, whose tenure had ended. While he served as Chairman, he adopted a very strict approach to certifying films and insisted that all films should reflect our social and cultural values.
Nihalani’s term as CBFC chairman was marked by a large number of controversies, including repeated criticism from numerous producers and artists of the CBFC censorship of their films or trailers because they contained profanity, sexual or violent content or dealt with issues that offended part of the population. One of the most widely publicised examples occurred when he ordered the trailer for the film ‘Spectre’ to be edited to remove all the kissing scenes prior to releasing in India.
Read also: Renowned poet Bashir Badr passes away!
The Controversial ‘Udta Punjab’ Article was a Very Defining Moment for Him
On August 11, 2017, Nihalani was removed from the position of CBFC chairman and Prasoon Joshi was appointed to replace him. After leaving the position, Nihalani claimed that his removal from office was due to the many disagreements he had with his fellow board members regarding the certification process for movies.
Industry Mourns the Loss
Many members have paid tribute to Pahlaj Nihalani after his death. Members of the film community have celebrated his contributions to cinema despite their feelings about him as the censor board chair. The film community remember him as a producer who understood commercial cinema. He had a major impact on creating some of the most successful careers in the history of Indian film.
Nihalani’s passing is a great loss for Indian film, as he was a very important and controversial figure—both as a producer of some of the most famous commercial films in Bollywood as well as a regulator who initiated national discussions regarding censorship and free speech by his choices. While there is ongoing debate over the legacy he leaves behind, his legacy on Hindi films is factually unarguable.
A major controversy during Nihalani’s time as chairperson of the CBFC was regarding the release of the 2016 film Udta Punjab. Under Nihalani’s direction, the CBFC required substantial cuts to many scenes involving drug use in Punjab. This led to a monumental conflict over creative freedom versus censorship in the courts after the filmmakers challenged him and the CBFC on these issues.
After hearing the case, the Bombay High Court permitted the release of Udta Punjab with only one cut, which was seen as a major blow to the CBFC’s position. The case also created a national conversation regarding the importance of artistic expression, censorship and the role of the certification board in a democratic society.
Read also: Actor Ramakant Daayama passes away
A Figure Who Divided Opinions
Nihalani constantly drew mixed reactions throughout his entire public career. His supporters described him as someone who upholds the values of culture and who provides strong leadership in the hope of achieving responsible commercial movie-making. Conversely, his detractors claimed that he abused his power through harsh censorship and moral policing.
In fact, much of the time, he attracted a considerable amount of attention due to his candid comments about movies and social issues, as well as his many opinions on the changing landscape of the film business. Many of his public comments provided the impetus for conversations within the film community, making him one of the most talked about individuals in Bollywood’s system of regulation.
