The former chairman of Central Board of Film Certification Pahlaj Nihalani has come down heavily on the I&B Ministry after his exit. Nihalani, whose term as the chief of the board was a controversial one, said he was removed from the position because Smriti Irani wanted to make her presence felt in the ministry. Not only this, Pahlaj Nihalani also said he was under pressure to not clear Shahid Kapoor starrer Udta Punjab.
In an interview, Pahlaj Nihalani said he was asked to not give the certificate to the film. Pahlaj’s demand for over 80 cuts from Udta Punjab led to a huge controversy. During the entire episode, Pahlaj Nihalani was bashed for his demands. Speaking about it, he said, “The ministry asked me to not pass Udta Punjab. After it was refused, it became controversial. I got pressure from many places including Punjab that the film should not be passed. I passed the film according to the guidelines given to me, but the truth is I was under pressure.” Udta Punjab stressed on the prevailing problem of drug abuse in the Northern State. If what Mr Nihalani is saying is true, it will definitely lead one to think who was dictating him. Could it be the ruling Akali Dal-BJP who did not want the film’s release? This is something worth probing into.
Spaking about his ouster from the board, Nihalani said, “Smriti Irani always has an issue. She likes to make her presence felt in all ministries she has gone to. She asked me to clear Indu Sarkar without cuts. I told her I have to follow guidelines. I was her target as I did not listen to her.” Madhur Bhandarkar’s Indu Sarkar was set in the backdrop of Emergency and before its release, it was indulged in a battle with the CBFC.
Apart from this, Nihalani said, “I was told to not even clear Bajrangi Bhaijaan. I was given a letter months in advance.”
These details are definitely explosive. We now wonder what the ones Pahlaj is accusing have to say about all this.
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