Film producer and ex-CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani passes away due to liver cirrhosis; last rites to be held at 3 pm

Veteran film producer and former chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Pahlaj Nihalani, has passed away today, on June 4, 2026. He was admitted to the Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai. He was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and had been suffering for the last four months. His last rites will be performed today at 3 pm at Santacruz Crematorium, opposite the police station.

While IANS has confirmed the demise of the producer, according to the journalist Vickey Lalwani, he was under the care of Dr Jayant Barve. The late filmmaker had been moved between several hospitals for the treatment over the past 30 days.



The journalist had a conversation with the producer's wife yesterday, and she was hopeful that Pahlaj Nihalani will return home soon.

Who was Pahlaj Nihalani?

Pahlaj Nihalani served as the Association of Pictures and TV Programme Producers for almost three decades until he resigned in 2009. He was ousted as the CBFC chief on August 11, 2017, and soon Prasoon Joshi was appointed to the position.

The first movie he produced was 'Haathkadi' in the year 1982. His second film, 'Aandhi Toofan', in 1985. His third flick 'Ilzaam', in 1986, marked the debut of Govinda. Next, Chunky Pandey made his debut with the Pahlaj Nihalani-backed movie 'Aag Hi Aag' in 1987.

He has titles like 'Gunahon Ka Faisla', 'Paap Ki Duniya', and 'Mitti Aur Sona', starring Chunky Pandey and Neelam Kothari to his credit as a producer. Pahlaj Nihalani had also produced movies like 'Shola Aur Shabnam' and David Dhawan's 'Aankhen'.

In the year 2008, the producer made a special appearance in the film 'Halla Bol'. Then in January 2015, he took the office of CBFC's chairperson. He became one of the most talked-about CBFC chiefs due to his comments on movie censorship and film releases.

His last film, 'Rangeela Raja', was released in the year 2019. It was supposed to be the comeback movie of Govinda; however, it failed at the box office. The movie was a remake of the Rajinikanth starrer 'Netrikan'.

Pahlaj Nihalani is survived by his wife, Nita, and their three sons, Deepesh, Vishal, and Chirag.