Controversial CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani has been sacked as Prasoon Joshi has taken over the charge of the chief of the Censor Board on Friday. Along with him, actor Vidya Balan has also joined the board
Pahlaj Nihalani, who was appointed as the chief of CBFC in January 2015 has always been the controversial figures for demanding unwanted cuts in various films, especially sexual scenes. His colleagues accused him for leading the CBFC as his own organization, while the filmmakers alleged that he has been demanding unwanted cuts in the film.
He has also been accused of making the Indian film more “sanskaari”. His decisions to cut scenes in films such as Udta Punjab or the more recent Harry Met Sejal, where he demanded the removal of word “intercourse” faced a lot of criticism.
Nihalani had himself confessed that he could be replaced as the chief of CBFC considering that his three-year tenure should have been ended in January 2017.
His replacement Prasoon Joshi is a well-acclaimed lyricist and screenwriter of the Hindi movie industry. He also have won the National Award for Best Lyrics for the song “Maa”in Taare Zameen Par and “Bolo Na” in Chittagong.
Joshi, who has films such as Rang De Basanti and Neerja in his resume, has also written Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anthem for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
By Prajakt K.
