Pahlaj Nihalani refutes the rumours of being replaced as the CBFC chief

Recently there were reports that Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairman Pahlaj Nihalani, who has been embroiled in various controversies, is on his way out.

The reports suggested that a meeting of CBFC members has been called by Nihalani in Thiruvananthapuram on July 28. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting sources said it has been indicated to Nihalani that he might be replaced. Among the names being considered for the replacement are filmmaker Prakash Jha and TV producer-actor Chandraprakash Dwivedi.

However, when quizzed Pahlaj about his ouster, the CBFC chief said, "So far I have not heard of any such plans from the government. I am sure my well-wishers are holding their breath. But they can exhale for now. As far as being asked to relinquish my post as the CBFC chairperson is concerned, I leave the decision entirely to the government. It was they who asked me to take over in January 2015. The decision to hire me was a complete surprise to me. I immediately took charge and began working to the best of my abilities. If now I am asked to leave, I’d do so just as swiftly, wishing my successor all the best."

Pahlaj Nihalani, who came onboard as the Censor chief in January 2015, has had quite an eventful tenure. Not only his tenure has been dubbed as regressive, he has also been deemed as archaic and autocratic by his peers.

CREDITS: THE QUINT