On Friday, the news about CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani being sacked and writer-lyricist Prasoon Joshi being appointed as the new censor board chief surfaced on the internet. Prasoon stepped in as the new chairperson with immediate effect for a period of three years (or until further orders).
Nihalani has had quite a controversial tenure as the CBFC chairperson. Popularly known as 'Sanskari Nihalani', Pahlaj saw himself in the ire with filmmakers over films like 'Udta Punjab', 'Lipstick Under My Burkha', 'Jab Harry Met Sejal', 'Angry Indian Goddesses', et al. He was also called out for his reasonings over certification of Bollywood films, and has much remained in the news film after film.
However, with the end of his tenure, Pahlaj happily accepts the government's decision of sacking him as the CBFC chairperson. "Actually, from the time I came in, there have been elements working against me, some of them from within the CBFC. These elements — I am not going to name them on-record — are currently celebrating premature Diwali," said Nihalani in an interview with a leading website.
Further adding that he has been preparing for his exit for months, Pahlaj said that he respects the government's decision and will abide by it.
CREDITS: THE QUINT 