Pahlaj Nihalani: I am proud of the ‘sanskari’ label

Former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, who was replaced by lyricist Prasoon Joshi on 11th August, Friday, has broken silence over his removal and has quite a lot to say! While he is happy to be relieved of his responsibilities, he also feels he has had considerable contributions in the process of film certification and took a strong stand against ‘vulgarity and pseudo liberalism’.

“I just hope my successor doesn’t succumb to false notions of liberalism propagated by the pseudo-progressive elements in our film industry and work in a direction opposed to mine,” he said, in an interview with IANS.

Does the removal come as a shock? “I had been preparing myself for my exit for months now. 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. Unnka toh tyohaar mere jaane se ho gaya (they are in a festive mood because of my ouster),” he answered to Subhash K Jha, in another conversation. (Also Read: ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’ director reacts to Pahlaj Nihalani being sacked)

At the same time, Nihalani claims he has made the certification a lot smoother and faster by making it completely digitised, and he eradicated middle-men, the ones who consumed money, from the process as well.

“Censorship was necessary and doing away with it would mean filmmakers will resort to showing pornography and vulgarity even in normal films…The more you show vulgarity and obscenity in films, more such incidents will increase in society.

“I worked in all sincerity and with utmost honesty. In the process I offended a lot of the so-called progressive elements. I also got labelled a Sanskari censor chief. I am proud of that label. I hope I am remembered as the CBFC chairperson who took a firm stand against vulgarity and pseudo-liberalism, no matter how unpopular it made me,” he said.

Nihalani’s judgments of ‘pseudo liberalism’ and ‘vulgarity’ were questionable, since he refused to certify films that, according to sincere filmmakers and audience, were a need of the hour. We wonder what his successor Prasoon Joshi has to say, about the former’s suggestions!

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.