Pahlaj Nihalani had a turbulent stint in the Central Board Film Certification as their Chairperson. 


Phalaj Nihalani’s career  as a Film Producer


Pahlaj Nihalani entered the Entertainment industry as a film producer specialising in high octane action dramas and family dramas.


He started his journey in Hindi film industry by producing Haathkadi in 1982 starring Shatrughan Sinha . 


Nihalani was given credit for launching the career of many actors such as actor Govinda whom  he gave him his first debut break in the film Ilzaam in 1986. 

He thereafter introduced Chunky Pandey in the film Aag Hi Aag in 1987 

Phalaj Nihalani  had backed some of the major commercial  films such as Paap Ki Duniya , Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen , Rangeela Raja, and his last film released in 2023 is Anaari Is Back.


Nihalani was a core leader with his leadership and industry involvement 


Beyond Bollywood and movie sets, he was a core leader who served as the President of the Association of Pictures and Television Programme Producers for over three decades. He executed his duties from 1980 and resigned in 2009.

He was involved in a controversy during his CBFC tenure between 2015 and 2017 when he was holding the position of the Chair Person . He had implemented rigid restrictions, trimming scenes , refusing certification to certain films like Lipstick Under my Burkha calling too lady oriented and his biggest stand off was 89 cuts in the film. Udta Punjab in 2016.




Pahlaj Nihalani was replaced by Prasoon Joshi 


Following his board demanding 88 cuts a decision was overturned by the Bombay High Court which cleared the film with just one single cut.

Filmmaker’s who came forward regarding their protest to creative freedom , Phalah was replaced by lyricist Prasoon Joshi to head the Certification Board.