‘It’s like wow’, Anurag Kashyap on Pahlaj Nihalani’s exit from CBFC

The former CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani made it to the headlines for various reasons, but mostly it was for his tiff with the film directors. Anurag Kashyap especially seemed to be his favourite target. We remember what happened during the release of ‘Udta Punjab’. So, one amongst the many who are extremely happy with Pahlaj Nihalani’s exit, is Anurag.

The ace filmmaker spoke to Hindustan Times and expressed how happy he was by saying, “Kal raat se mai bahut khush tha. Something you’ve been waiting for, and it suddenly happens, it’s like wow! Did this really happen? And that, too, before my film came out.”

Further adding, “Pahlajji was like a darbar (court) who’d sit down and make you stand and talk for three hours and lecture you how he’s better than you. It’s a very humiliating process that every filmmaker went through. It wasn’t a dialogue but only a monologue, where he would be the one talking; and he’d tell you what to do. There would be subtle threats and this and that… You have no idea what kind of a relief this is!”

Indeed, he is really happy.

He also spoke about the new CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi and stated that at least there would be scope of discussion now. “I might disagree with the things [Prasoon Joshi] says or does sometimes, but not all the time. Also, he’s a very open person. What is amazing is that a dialogue is possible. See, the government that will come in —any government, Congress or BJP — will always hand over institutions to people who’re kind of aligned with its ideologies. I believe there should be no censorship and only certification, and I believe Prasoon Joshi is the kind of person who believes in that, because he has often talked about it,” he stated.

Vidya Balan has also been appointed as one of the board members of CBFC. (Also Read: Vidya Balan happy to join CBFC. Read what she has to say!)

Nikita Thakkar

A strongly opinionated, free-spirited, budding Bollywood journalist, she likes to write anything in her own quirky style. When not running around to get assigned tasks completed, you will find her either painting, indulging in photography or dreaming in the la la land.