Pahlaj Nihalani replaced Leela Samson; appointed as New Censor Board chief

Filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani on January 19, 2015 was appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

His appointment came into light with the Leela Samson resignation, alleged to the interference by the government in its matters.

With the appointment of Nihalnai, the government has also reconstituted the board appointing nine new members.

List of members appointed

Vani Tripathi Tikoo - BJP leader

Ashoke Pandit - Kashmiri activist Filmmaker

Chandra Prakash Dwivedi- best known for his epic TV serial Chanakya

George Baker- Bengali Actor

S. Ve. Shekher- Tamil actor and former AIADMK MLA

Jeevitha- Telgu Actor

Prof Syed Abdul Bari- Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat

Ramesh Patange- member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Samajik Samarasta Manch

It should be noted that Pahlaj Nihalani is appointed for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Former chairperson Leela Samson resigned from her post on January 16, 2015 citing "interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organisation" appointed by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry.

She was followed by 13 members of the CBFC who put in their papers saying it was impossible to work "with even a modicum of efficacy or autonomy" given the "cavalier and dismissive manner" in which the CBFC is treated by the government.

Facts to Know about Leela Samson
Samson who was the 26th Chairperson after the Board's establishment, has accused the NDA government of "coercion" and interfering with her decisions on several films, including the Amir Khan-starrer film PK.
Samson earlier served as a director of Kalakshetra from April 2005 to April 2012, and chairperson of Sangeet Natak Academy from August 2010 to October 2014.

Among the many honours conferred on her, Samson was awarded the Padma Shri by the President of India in recognition of her contribution to the art of Bharata Natyam as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Bharatanatyam (1999-2000), given by Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Facts to Know about Pahlaj Nihalani

Pahlaj Nihalani, known for the 1990s blockbusters Shola aur Shabnam(1992), produced "Har Ghar Modi-The Power House of India," a fan-song for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He is also known for producing Aankhen (1993), Talaash: The Hunt Begins. (2003).

About the Central Board of Film Certification:
The Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) is a statutory censorship and classification body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
It is tasked with "regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952."
It assigns certifications to films, television shows, television ads, and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in India. Films can be publicly exhibited in India only after they are certified by the Board.