Pahlaj Nihalani

Pahlaj Nihalani is the present head of the Central Board of Film Certification of India.[1] He is a film producer. He was also the President of the Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers for 29 years until 2009.[2] He is known as the producer of the films such as Shola Aur Shabnam and Aankhen.[2][3]

Prior to the Indian general election, 2014, he had also produced the YouTube video "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi" supporting BJP candidate Narendra Modi.[4] In November 2015, he produced another video paying tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, entitled "Mera Desh hai Mahaan".[5]

Career

Nihalani produced his first film in 1982, it was Haathkadi. His second film was Aandhi-Toofan in 1985. His next film, Ilzaam in 1986, is notable for being actor Govinda's debut. His film, Aag Hi Aag in 1987, also served as the debut for Chunky Pandey. He then went on to produce Gunahon Ka Faisla in 1987, and Paap Ki Duniya in 1988. In 1989, the film Mitti Aur Sona, starring Chunky Pandey and Neelam Kothari, was considered a box office success. The Shola Aur Shabnam released in 1992, starring Govinda and Divya Bharti, was considered a huge box office hit. In 1993, Aankhen, produced by him, was also a big box office hit.[2]

In 2008, he made a cameo appearance in the film Halla Bol.[6] In 2012, he directed his first film, Avataar, starring Govinda.[7] In 2013, he said that he would help debut Govinda's daughter, Narmada Ahuja.[8] Before the 2014 general elections, he produced the viral campaign called "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi", supporting Narendra Modi.[4]

He took the office of the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 19 January 2015.[6] Soon after his appointment, he floated a new set of strict guidelines under which curse words will be allowed only in A-rated films. He also said that depiction of violence against women will be discouraged and it will be ensured that no content which may hurt religious sentiments will be allowed.[9]

On 12 March 2015, two members of the CBFC, Ashoke Pandit and Chandraprakash Dwivedi, criticised the way in which Nihalani was running the organisation.[10] On 9 July 2015, he implemented a new rule under which A-rated films were no longer allowed for television broadcast. Earlier, A-rated films could be re-cut, to achieve U or U/A rating and released on television. Nihalani justified his decision by saying that past A-rated films contained horror or violence, but most recent A-rated films have sexual themes and so they cannot be re-cut.[11]

On 10 November 2015, a music video called "Mera Desh Mahaan", produced by Nihalani as a tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was uploaded to YouTube. A shorter version of the video was played in film theatres during the interval of the film Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.[12] After the kissing scenes in the film Spectre were shortened before release, Nihalani attracted criticism on the social media. Nihalani responded to the criticism by stating that cuts were within the rules.[13][14][15]

In December 2015, Nihalani registered "Sanskari" as the title of his next film.[16] In late December 2015, Nihalani requested the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to form regulations on online film trailers. He said that some films, like Mastizaade and Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3, were using deleted scenes in their online trailers and misleading the people.[17]

Personal views and opinions

Nihalani is self-confessed supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and considers Narendra Modi a hero.[18] Nihalani has expressed concerns regarding the existence of nudity online and on television.[19][20] According to him, there should be one policy on the censorship of nudity in all media similar to films.[19] He has also expressed concerns that young children may be accessing the website of pornstar-turned-actress Sunny Leone.[20] Nihalani holds the view that films should not contain cuss words. He has said that film like cuss words like, Omkara and Gangs of Wasseypur, should not have been approved for release.[21] He has claimed that normal and civilised people do not cuss in the manner depicted in films.[22]

Nihalani has said that producers should not make controversial films like PK.[23] Nihalani has proposed that the existing system of film ratings should be replaced by a new system with more categories.[24][25] He has also condemned the protests of FTII students against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the Chairman, by calling them anti-government.[25][26]

Filmography

As a producer

Year Film
1982 Haathkadi
1985 Aandhi-Toofan
1986 Ilzaam
1987 Aag Hi Aag
1988 Paap Ki Duniya
1989 Mitti Aur Sona
1990 Aag Ka Gola
1991 First Love Letter
1991 Ek Aur Faulad
1992 Shola Aur Shabnam
1993 Aankhen
1994 Andaz
1996 Dil Tera Diwana
1997 Bhai Bhai
2001 Uljhan
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins...
2008 Khushboo

As a director

Year Film
Production began in 2012 Avataar

References

  1. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani new censor board chief, nine new members appointed". India Today. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bigger the ‘packet’, more the rating, comments Pahlaj Nihalani on today’s film reviews". Nagpur Today. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani refused to sell the rights of Aankhen to Rohit Shetty". The Times of India. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  4. 1 2 "New Censor Board chief: Was Pahlaj Nihalani rewarded for Har Har Modi?". Hindustan Times. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "After His 'Modi Kaka' Video Draws Ridicule, Pahlaj Nihalani's Defence". NDTV. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Pahlaj Nihalani is the new censor board chief: Lesser known facts about the ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’ director". The Indian Express. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani turns director with Govinda starrer Avatar". NDTV. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani to launch Govinda`s daughter Narmada". Zee News. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "Censor Board will not tolerate abuse, says new chief". Mid Day. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Rift in Censor Board, Ashoke Pandit calls Pahlaj Nihalani 'tyrant'". DNA India. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "Shocker! Adult Films Won't Be Re-Censored For TV!". 9xe. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  12. ↑ "Music video on PM Modi clubbed with ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’". The Times of India. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  13. ↑ "The name's Bond, Sanskari Bond: Twitter mocks CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani". DNA India. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  14. ↑ "Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani hits out at critics". The Indian Express. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Film censors to Mr. Bond: No kissing please. We’re Indian". The Indian Express. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Unfazed By Twitter Jokes, Pahlaj Nihalani Names Film 'Sanskari'". NDTV. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "Censor board asks government to draw up rules". ABP News. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "I’m proud to be a BJP man and Narendra Modi is my ‘action hero’, new censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani says". The Times of India. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  19. 1 2 "Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani: Time to snip nudity on TV, web". The Times of India. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  20. 1 2 "I don't mind being called conservative: Pahlaj Nihalani". The Hindu. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani targets Sharmila Tagore for clearing films like ‘Omkara’". The Indian Express. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "Pahlaj Nihalani: Normal people don’t abuse the way we see in films". The Indian Express. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  23. ↑ "“Producers Should Not Make Controversial Movies”". Boom Live. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "‘How is Aamir Khan the only one to get away with kissing scenes in a U/A film,’ asks Pahlaj Nihalani". The Indian Express. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  25. 1 2 "You want to do sex in your house with your door open". Pune Mirror. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  26. ↑ "CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani plans film to show FTII students as 'anti nationals'". The Economic Times. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.

External links

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