Producer Pahlaj Nihalani to step in as Censor Board chief
Censor Board of India was embroiled in controversy over the resignation of its chief Leela Samson
Mumbai: Well known film-maker Pahlaj Nihalani is likely to be appointed new Censor Board chairperson. Nihalani is a Hindi film producer who has worked with Govinda in quite a few films like 'Aankhen' and 'Shola Aur Shabnam' among others.
According to sources Nihalani has been appointed on Shatrughan Sinha’s recommendation.
Says a well-placed source, “The I & B ministry wanted to replace Ms Samson with someone who was an industry insider and understood the workings of the entertainment industry. The fact that Pahlaj Nihalani is close to Mr Shatrughan Sinha definitely played a part in the appointment.”
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Leela Samson sent in her resignation on Thursday night soon after word came that the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) had cleared the release of the film 'MSG - The Messenger of God.' This triggered a slew of resignations from the Board over the weekend. Already, one member, Ira Bhasker, is learnt to have stepped down.