Veteran Bollywood producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani breathed his last on June 4, 2026, at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai after a prolonged health battle. He was 76. The news has left the film fraternity mourning the loss of a man who shaped a significant era of commercial Hindi cinema.
The Final Chapter: Pahlaj Nihalani’s Last Days
According to journalist Vickey Lalwani, Nihalani had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and was recovering for the past four months before his condition suddenly worsened. Lalwani revealed, “He was under the treatment of Dr Jayant Barve and was being shifted from one hospital to another for the last thirty days.” The producer’s funeral is scheduled to take place at 3 pm on June 4 in Mumbai.
A Legacy of Blockbusters: From ‘Aankhen’ to ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’
Nihalani began his journey as a producer with Haathkadi in 1982 but really hit his stride in the late ’80s and ’90s. He formed a legendary partnership with actor Govinda, delivering crowd-pleasers like Shola Aur Shabnam and the 1993 blockbuster Aankhen. His filmography also included Aag Ka Gola, Rangeela Raja, and Julie 2. These films cemented his reputation as a producer who knew exactly what mainstream audiences wanted.
The Controversial CBFC Chairperson
Beyond producing hits, Nihalani served as president of the Association of Pictures and TV Programme Producers for nearly 29 years before stepping down in 2009. In January 2015, he was appointed chairperson of the CBFC, the film certification body. His tenure drew significant attention and debate before lyricist Prasoon Joshi replaced him in August 2017. With a career spanning decades, Nihalani leaves behind an indelible mark on Indian cinema — both as a creator and a gatekeeper.