Veteran producer and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Pahlaj Nihalani, passed away on June 4, 2026, due to a liver ailment. Sadly, a section of netizens has been focusing only on some of his controversial episodes as CBFC chairperson. However, there’s hardly any chatter about how Pahlaj Nihalani, during his tenure, went out of his way to help several filmmakers secure certificates on time. Senior industry member Rajesh Vasani of Paras Publicity wrote a Facebook post highlighting the lesser-known side of the deceased film industry member.
REVEALED – The other side of Pahlaj Nihalani: “Producers spent Rs. 5,000-10,000 as CBFC committee members ordered food from high-end restaurants, even carried it home; Pahlaj ji ended this SHAMELESS practice”
Rajesh Vasani wrote, “As Chairperson of the CBFC, Pahlaj Nihalani served from January 21, 2015, to August 11, 2017, with unwavering dedication, discipline, and a deep respect for the certification process. For him, the CBFC Guidelines were as sacrosanct as the Constitution itself. He attended the office daily from morning till late evening, ensuring that certification applications were processed promptly and that no film remained unnecessarily pending. Even during holidays, he would facilitate screenings in exceptional circumstances, often remaining in the office until late hours to ensure certificates were issued without delay.”
Rajesh Vasani added, “His tenure was marked by his insistence that certification decisions be taken strictly according to established procedures. During the much-discussed certification process of Indu Sarkar in 2017, he maintained that the matter should follow the prescribed CBFC mechanism, including consideration by the Revising Committee. As Chairperson, he maintained that committee members should independently apply the Board’s guidelines and arrive at their own conclusions. The episode became one of the most debated moments of his tenure and was followed shortly thereafter by the conclusion of his chairmanship. Public discussions and media reports have since linked these events in various ways, though no official reason was ever issued for his premature removal from office.”
Rajesh Vasani also said, “What distinguished Pahlaj Nihalani was his accessibility. Producers, filmmakers, and visitors could meet him without prior appointments, and he made it a point to personally hear their concerns. Known for his warmth and hospitality, he often hosted guests with tea, coffee, and refreshments at his own expense. He never relied on official privileges for personal comfort and was known for travelling to the office independently. He believed that the CBFC existed to serve the film fraternity fairly and efficiently. He extended support to producers across the country and was particularly sensitive to the challenges faced by small and regional filmmakers. His office functioned with an open-door policy, ensuring that every applicant received a hearing and every file received attention.”
Rajesh Vasani then revealed, “One of the lesser-known but highly significant contributions of Pahlaj Nihalani ji as Chairperson of the CBFC was his sensitivity towards the financial burden faced by film producers. Around 2018, Examination Committee (EC) and Revising Committee (RC) members were paid an honorarium of only Rs. 750 per screening. While tea, coffee and biscuits were routinely served before screenings, it had gradually become common practice for committee members to order refreshments, snacks and even full meals during the screening process, all at the producer’s expense. In some cases, members would order food from their preferred (high-end) restaurants and even carry packed food home that they would order from these expensive places. For a committee of five members, the producer often ended up spending anywhere between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 over and above the official charges.”
Rajesh Vasani continued, “As a CBFC member myself, I witnessed this practice first-hand and brought the matter to Pahlaj ji’s attention. Understanding the unnecessary burden being placed on producers, he immediately took up the issue with the Ministry and recommended that the screening honorarium be increased from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1,500 per show. Simultaneously, he made it clear that committee members should pay for their own meals and refreshments rather than passing the expense on to producers.”
Rajesh Vasani then raised laughs as he said, “As soon as this rule came into effect, some members stopped ordering food. When the peon would come to take their order, they would claim ‘Aaj mera upvaas hai’, ‘aaj pet kharab hai’ or ‘aaj bhookh nahin hai’!”
Rajesh Vasani remarked, “Pahlaj ji stood firm on the principle that producers should not be compelled to bear personal expenses unrelated to certification. Hollywood films were charged Rs. 20,000 and Hindi films were asked to pay for Rs. 10,000 for Cine Workers Welfare Scheme. Pahlaj ji discontinued it, providing further relief to producers. These may appear to be small administrative decisions, but they reflected Pahlaj ji’s larger philosophy: to protect the interests of the film industry, especially producers, from avoidable expenses and unfair practices. There are countless such instances where he quietly stood by the industry and offered practical support without seeking recognition.”
He also said, “Sanjay Bhandari, a trailblazer in India’s institutional film financing and a Chartered Accountant by profession, reminded me that Pahlaj ji played a pivotal role in securing Industry Status for the Indian Film Industry from the Government. This landmark achievement transformed the business of filmmaking. Prior to this recognition, many producers were compelled to depend on personal borrowings and informal sources of funding. With Industry Status in place, banks and financial institutions began extending structured finance to film projects at reasonable interest rates, bringing greater transparency, credibility, and financial discipline to the sector. This reform proved to be a watershed moment, helping the industry move towards an organized and professionally funded ecosystem.”
Rajesh Vasani signed off by stating, “Whether one agreed with his decisions or not, few can dispute the extraordinary commitment, accessibility, and work ethic that he brought to the office. His tenure remains remembered for his belief that rules should be applied uniformly, that filmmakers deserved timely decisions, and that public service required personal dedication beyond official duty hours.”
Also Read: Govinda pays heartfelt tribute to Pahlaj Nihalani after his demise: “Our success is a direct result of the blessings of such noble individuals”
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