Bollywood fans rejoiced on hearing the news that Pahlaj Nihalani was sacked as the CBFC chief. He being replaced by the master of words, Prasoon Joshi just came in time, demanding a joyous celebration.
While the internet was busy celebrating, it was only about time that someone wondered, what led all of this to happen in the first place? I mean, of course his callous remarks and insensitive chopping of films, instead of just certification is out there, but there’s more to the story.
After, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz producer, Kiran Shroff was slut-shammed at the CBFC office, director of the film, Kushal Nandy wrote a letter to Information & Broadcasting Ministry about Nihalani’s misconduct. People think this was the reason he was sacked. BUT this might not be all true.
A source close to Deccan Chronicle has come up and said that it was not Nandy’s letter, instead it was Lipstick Under My Burkha’s distributor, Ekta Kapoor! The source said that Ekta being Smriti Irani’s good friend is somewhere the reason that all this happened.
Nihalani is bitter about the whole incident and has given interviews saying that he is “very proud of being labelled as the Sanskaari chief“. In another chat with NDTV, he expressed,
if the government feels I am an embarrassment, then I accept their decision to throw me out. I am sure the industry is relieved now.
When asked if there is anything he would have done a little differently, he said that he was sacked for following the CBFC rules. But using “someone” in his statements, he quipped,
The govt. is listening to someone who wants to go against the rules. Someone who hasn’t even produced or directed a film. It’s very sad.
Well, Nihalani had too many controversies to his name to stay as the CBFC chief forever. Ekta Kapoor was miffed by his statements on Lipstick Under My Burkha, as many of us.
Things are looking much better now that Prasoon Joshi has been given all the responsibilities of the Board. Lets wait and watch how this turns out!