I have no regrets, says Pahlaj Nihalani

Pahlaj Nihalani’s controversy-fraught term as chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is at an end. However, despite being the perhaps the most controversial CBFC chairperson, Pahlaj seems almost relaxed as he speaks about his term.

The outgoing CBFC  chairperson says,  “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).”

Poster of Jab Harry Met Sejal

Despite his sudden ouster, Pahlaj has no regrets about his departure. In fact, he says that his ouster reminds him of how he came in, which was also a sudden event. “I have no regrets at all. Believe me, I was brought in as the CBFC chairperson all a sudden. I happily took up the job that the Government thought me fit for. Now, when the Government has asked me to step down, I do so without any regret. It was a big challenge while it lasted. When I came in, there was rampant corruption in the CBFC. I got rid of all the middlemen and touts who made money in the censor certification process. They too must be celebrating Diwali in advance this year,”  Pahlaj laughs loudly.

Poster of Phullu

Though known for many a foot-in-the mouth moment, Pahlaj maintains a diplomatic silence on his successor Prasoon Joshi. “Whoever takes over from me is welcome to do so. I only hope he doesn’t reverse the work that I started at the CBFC. I feel we have achieved a lot in the past three years. We’ve speeded up the certification process and made it entirely digital. 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. 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 says.

So, now that he’s free from the CBFC workload, what does he wish to do now, we ask. “I am returning to my first love, film production, in a big way. I will soon be announcing a slew of films. It’s been a highly satisfying tenure at the CBFC for me. But it’s also been exhausting and time-consuming. I am happy to make way for someone else,” Pahlaj signs off.