Censor Board member says Nihalani ‘arrogant and egoistic’

NEW DELHI: The war of words between Censor Board members and its chief continued to fester with a member attacking Pahlaj Nihalani for “arrogance’’ and “egoism’’. Nihalani responded in kind, saying if any member had a problem with him, they were free to resign and that he was working by the rule book.
An upset Censor Board member Nandini Sardesai in a mail to board members said Nihalani’s “attitude smacks of arrogance and egoism”.“Indeed, the scenario is grim, grave and even hopeless with the present chairman in the hot seat,” she said. In the letter, she said she sought to know why she was being asked to preview films over the weekend but was met by a “vitrolic’’ Nihalani.
“He said I had no business to ask what sort of film I was seeing and how long it was. He was the boss and it would seem doing me a favor by asking me to be on the RC (revising committee). He believed in work and was justified in working and making others work on weekends. He did not care what grievances members had. He knew the rules and I should mind my own business. He was so vitriolic that I could hardly get a word in,’’ her mail said.
The mail also said it appeared that Nihalani had no intention to call a board meeting and answer the queries that members had regarding the functioning of the Central Board of Film certification (CBFC). A scheduled board meeting for June 9 was “postponed’’ by Nihalani, leaving members in limbo.
In a letter to another CBFC member Ashoke Pandit, Nihalani said members were speaking to the media and maligning the image of CBFC. He added that the board meeting was not held as the venue was not fixed. Members have been demanding a meeting to express concern over the “unilateral style’’ in which Nihalani has been functioning.
When contacted Nihalani said, “I have no problem with any member. But if they choose to speak to the media and have a problem with me, they are free to resign. There is no hurry to hold a board meeting. We will have one when we have full strength of members.’’