Mumbai, June 4: A tragic loss has struck the Hindi film industry with the passing of filmmaker and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Pahlaj Nihalani. He breathed his last at the age of 76. Abhay Sinha, president of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), confirmed the news.
Reports indicate that Nihalani had been suffering from health issues for some time. He was a prominent figure in the film industry, known for producing numerous successful and popular films. His death has sent shockwaves through the industry, where he was recognized not only as a producer but also as a strict and controversial censor board chief.
Throughout his career, Pahlaj Nihalani supported many hit films, including “Ilzaam,” “Aag Hi Aag,” “Shola Aur Shabnam,” and “Aankhen.” Notably, “Aankhen,” released in the 1990s, is regarded as one of the biggest hits of that decade and remains one of his most successful projects.
Nihalani was instrumental in launching several major actors in the industry. He introduced Govinda in the film “Ilzaam,” which premiered in 1986. Similarly, actor Chunky Pandey began his career with Nihalani’s film “Aag Hi Aag.”
Additionally, the 1993 film “Aankhen,” starring Govinda and Chunky Pandey, became one of the highest-grossing films of its time. His filmography includes several successful titles such as “Hathkadi,” “Aadhi-Toofan,” “Paap Ki Duniya,” “Aag Ka Gola,” “Dil Tera Diwana,” “Bhai Bhai,” “Julie 2,” and “Rangila Raja.”
In addition to his contributions as a producer, Pahlaj Nihalani served as the chairperson of the censor board from 2015 to 2017. During his tenure, he was often in the spotlight due to his strict censorship policies, which led to several controversies regarding various films.
Nihalani remained actively involved in film production and film organizations for many years, serving as the president of the Association of Motion Picture and TV Program Producers until he resigned in 2009.
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