Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani was booted out on Friday. Nihalani had assumed office in January 2015 and has ever since received flak for his arbitrary decisions.
In the last few months, films like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Sameer, An Insignificant Man and even Jab Harry Met Sejal faced the brunt of the board's despotic decisions.
Lyricist Prasoon Joshi might replace him.
Ashoke Pandit, one of the board members, speaking to THE WEEK, confirmed the news. “The reasons are very obvious. All the board members were very unhappy with the decisions he was taking. His treatment towards the makers of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz was the nail in the coffin. It upset every single person,” says Pandit, also adding that the decision came directly from the ministry of information and broadcasting. “This should have happened sooner,” he adds.
According to Pandit, the board members will remain the same. “It is just the chairperson who has been removed,” he adds.
Vidya Balan, who was added as a new board member, said: "I am very happy to join the CBFC and I hope to fulfill my responsibilities as a member to the best of my abilities. I look forward to this new and exciting phase where our cinema will be allowed to reflect the sensibilities, realities and complexities of the society we are living in today."
