The End of an Era: Pahlaj Nihalani Passes Away at 76
Bollywood has lost one of its most polarising figures. Pahlaj Nihalani, the veteran producer and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, breathed his last on Thursday morning at the age of 76. After a prolonged illness, the man who gave us some of the most iconic masala films of the 80s and 90s finally bowed out.
Nihalani is survived by his wife Nita and three sons—Vishal, Deepesh, and Chirag. His funeral saw several industry veterans turn up, with Govinda reportedly breaking down while remembering his mentor. “Humare neev ke patthar the woh,” a source close to the actor revealed, recalling how Nihalani launched him into stardom.
From Producing Hits to Censorship Controversies
Nihalani entered the film industry in the early 80s and made his producing debut with Haathkadi in 1982, starring Sanjeev Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, and Reena Roy. But his real breakthrough came with Ilzaam in 1986, the film that gave Govinda his first major break. Next year, he launched Chunky Panday with Aag Hi Aag. These films weren’t just hits—they defined an era of full-on entertainment.
His production house churned out commercial gold like Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, Dil Tera Diwana, and Rangeela Raja. For nearly three decades, he also served as President of the Association of Pictures and TV Producers, pulling strings behind the scenes like a true Bollywood baap.
But Nihalani’s biggest national spotlight came in 2015 when he was appointed chairperson of the CBFC. Suddenly, the man who made Ilzaam became the censor who gave filmmakers ilzaam (accusations). His tenure was marked by strict cuts and outright bans—Udta Punjab faced heavy trimming, while Lipstick Under My Burkha was initially denied certification. Filmmakers cried creative freedom; Nihalani stood firm, calling it ‘sanskari censorship’. The controversy ka baap had arrived.
Bollywood Pays Tribute to a Powerhouse
After news of his death spread, the film fraternity poured in tributes. Many remembered him as a no-nonsense producer who spotted talent early. Others acknowledged his polarising role as CBFC chief, but everyone agreed that Bollywood won’t see another Pahlaj Nihalani.
His legacy is a messy, wonderful contradiction: a man who launched stars and also slammed the brakes on artistic expression. From Haathkadi to CBFC’s scissors, Nihalani remained in the headlines for over four decades. And now, with his passing, an entire chapter of Hindi cinema—loud, brash, and unapologetic—comes to a close.