Film producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani has passed away at the age of 76. According to reports, he had been battling health complications for some time and was suffering from liver-related ailments.
His death marks the end of a long association with the Hindi film industry, where he played significant roles both as a producer and as the head of India's film certification authority.
A career spanning decades in Hindi cinema
Nihalani was known for producing several Hindi films over the decades. His body of work included titles such as Aankhen, Andaz, Talaash, Rangeela Raja and Julie 2. Through his production ventures, he remained an active figure in mainstream Bollywood and was associated with films across different genres.
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His contribution to the industry extended beyond filmmaking, making him one of the more recognisable names in Hindi cinema.
A tenure marked by debates on film certification
Between 2015 and 2017, Nihalani served as the chairperson of the CBFC, the statutory body responsible for certifying films for public exhibition in India.
His term at the board frequently attracted attention from filmmakers, industry stakeholders and audiences. Several certification decisions taken during his tenure sparked widespread debate and discussion around censorship, creative freedom and the role of film certification in the country. As a result, Nihalani remained at the centre of some of the most high-profile conversations surrounding cinema and regulation during those years.
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An enduring presence in Bollywood
Over a career spanning several decades, Nihalani established himself as a familiar presence in the film industry through both film production and public service in cinema administration.
He is survived by his wife, Nita, and their three sons, Vishal, Deepesh and Chirag. With his passing, the Indian film industry loses a producer and former film certification chief whose work and decisions remained part of the broader conversation around Hindi cinema for years.
