Pahlaj Nihalani, ex-CBFC chief and veteran producer, dies at 76 in Mumbai
Synopsis
Pahlaj Nihalani, the producer who launched Govinda and later became Bollywood's most polarising censor chief, has died at 76. His CBFC years from 2015 to 2017 turned him into a household name for all the wrong reasons — but his 1980s production slate, from ‘Ilzaam' to ‘Aag Hi Aag', shaped a generation of Hindi cinema stars.
Key Takeaways
Pahlaj Nihalani passed away on 4 June in Mumbai at the age of 76 .
IMPPA President Abhay Sinha confirmed the news; filmmaker Ashoke Pandit cited a heart attack.
He had reportedly been battling liver-related ailments; last rites are slated at a Santa Cruz crematorium.
Nihalani headed the CBFC from 2015 to 2017 , a tenure marked by frequent censorship controversies.
He launched Govinda with ‘Ilzaam' (1986) and Chunky Pandey with ‘Aag Hi Aag' (1987) .
His production credits include ‘Aankhen' , ‘Andaz' , ‘Talaash' , ‘Rangeela Raja' , and ‘Julie 2' .
Veteran film producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani passed away on 4 June in Mumbai at the age of 76, reportedly after a prolonged battle with liver-related ailments. Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) President Abhay Sinha confirmed the news, with his last rites set to be performed at a crematorium in Santa Cruz.
Cause of death and final rites
According to reports, Nihalani had been unwell for some time and was battling liver complications. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, sharing the news on Instagram, attributed the death to a heart attack on the morning of 4 June. ‘Sad to know about the demise of a veteran film Producer & an Industry leader Respected Pahalaj Nihalini ji this morning due to heart attack,' Pandit wrote, calling him ‘a man who stood by the Industry causes' and ‘a great loss to the Industry.'
A four-decade Bollywood innings
Nihalani's production career took off in the early 1980s with his debut venture ‘Haathkadi' in 1982, followed by ‘Aandhi-Toofan' in 1985. His most consequential contribution arrived in 1986 with ‘Ilzaam', the film that launched Govinda in Hindi cinema. A year later, ‘Aag Hi Aag' introduced Chunky Pandey to mainstream audiences.
Over the decades, he backed a string of Hindi films including ‘Aankhen', ‘Andaz', ‘Talaash', ‘Rangeela Raja', and ‘Julie 2'. He briefly turned director in 2012 with ‘Avatar', again starring Govinda, and made a cameo in the 2008 release ‘Halla Bol'.
The controversial CBFC years
Nihalani headed the CBFC from 2015 to 2017, a tenure that became a flashpoint in India's long-running debate over film censorship. His stint was marked by repeated public disputes with filmmakers over cuts, certification delays, and what critics argued was an expansive interpretation of the board's mandate. Supporters credited him with defending what he termed family-friendly standards; detractors saw an era of moral policing.
What his passing means for the industry
Nihalani's exit closes a chapter on a generation of producers who bridged the single-screen blockbuster era of the 1980s and the multiplex-driven economy that followed. Tributes from industry voices, including Pandit, have framed him as both a dealmaker and a flashpoint — a duality that defined his public life. Memorial gatherings are expected in Mumbai over the coming days.
Point of View
And the censor chief who made the CBFC a punchline in newsrooms from 2015 to 2017. His tenure exposed how thin the institutional firewall around creative freedom in India really is — a single appointee can reshape what audiences see. The industry will mourn the dealmaker; the debate over the regulator he left behind is far from over.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pahlaj Nihalani?
Pahlaj Nihalani was a veteran Hindi film producer and the former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), who served from 2015 to 2017. He produced multiple Bollywood films and is credited with launching the careers of Govinda and Chunky Pandey.
What was the cause of Pahlaj Nihalani's death?
According to reports, Nihalani had been suffering from liver-related ailments for some time. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, in his social media tribute, attributed the death to a heart attack on the morning of 4 June.
When did Pahlaj Nihalani head the CBFC?
Nihalani served as the chairperson of the CBFC from 2015 to 2017. His tenure was marked by frequent public disputes with filmmakers over cuts and certification, making him one of the most polarising figures to have led the board.
Which actors did Pahlaj Nihalani launch in Bollywood?
Nihalani launched Govinda with ‘Ilzaam' in 1986 and introduced Chunky Pandey to Hindi cinema with ‘Aag Hi Aag' in 1987. Both went on to become major stars of the 1980s and 1990s.
Where will Pahlaj Nihalani's last rites be performed?
His last rites will be performed at a crematorium in Santa Cruz, Mumbai. The family is expected to hold memorial gatherings in the city over the coming days.
