Despite pressure from several quarters, including Bollywood, for the removal of censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani for his repeated controversial decisions, it seems that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson is likely to stay on in his position and complete his tenure.
It is learnt that Mr Nihalani has the solid backing of the PMO, helping him save his job as the censor board chief. Appointed in January 2015, the filmmaker is likely to finish his three year term which ends in January 2018, sources stated.
After a recent controversy over proposed cuts to the movie Udta Punjab, it is learnt that subsequently, the government decided to allow the CBFC chief to complete his tenure. It was felt that if he is removed it could be construed as interference in the censor board’s work and also undermine the board’s authority. The government, led by the information and broadcasting ministry, has always maintained that it does not interfere in the film certification process.
It is learnt that the ministry is nevertheless not happy with the CBFC’s functioning ever since Mr Nihalani’s appointment.
The I&B ministry had appointed Mr Nihalani as the CBFC chief after its then chairperson Leela Samson resigned amid controversy surrounding the clearance of the film Messenger of God, featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Since his appointment, Mr Nihalani has been involved in several controversies over proposed cuts to films.
Soon after he took office he had proposed banning the use of “objectionable” and “abusive” words from movies. At present, the board has been in the limelight due to its opposition to Anurag Kashyap’s film Haramkhor and a film on the Gujarati Patel agitation — Sadakto Sawal: Anama.
The censor board continues to fan controversies despite the I&B ministry appointed-Shyam Benegal Committee recommending reduced powers for the CBFC, limiting its authority to a film certification body. The committee was constituted by the ministry on January 1.
