Suniel Shetty mourns Pahlaj Nihalani’s demise: ‘He was one of the first people to believe in me’

The Indian film industry is mourning the loss of veteran producer and former CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, who passed away in Mumbai on June 4 at the age of 76. According to reports, Nihalani had been battling liver-related ailments for some time.As tributes poured in from across the film fraternity, actor Suniel Shetty remembered the late filmmaker with an emotional note, recalling how Nihalani supported him during the early stages of his career.Taking to X, Suniel Shetty expressed his grief over Nihalani's passing and reflected on the impact he had on his life.“Pahlaj ji was one of the first people to believe in me. When I was finding my feet in the industry, he opened doors, guided me & always stood by me with warmth and encouragement,” the actor wrote.Suniel went on to praise Nihalani not only as a producer but also as a compassionate individual who was always willing to help others.“What I will remember most is not just the producer he was, but the person he was – someone you could call upon without hesitation, knowing he would always try to help. My heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones & everyone whose lives he touched. Rest in peace Pahlaj ji. You will be dearly missed,” he added.Nihalani's funeral and last rites were held in Mumbai on June 4 at 3 pm. Several members of the film fraternity attended to pay their final respects, including Govinda, David Dhawan, Malaika Arora, Saif Ali Khan and Farhan Akhtar.Pahlaj Nihalani made his debut as a producer with Haathkadi in 1982, starring Sanjeev Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha. He followed it up with Aandhi-Toofan in 1985.One of the most significant milestones of his career came in 1986 when he produced Ilzaam, which marked Govinda's debut in Hindi cinema. He went on to back several successful films, including Aag Hi Aag, Gunahon Ka Faisla, Paap Ki Duniya and Mitti Aur Sona. Nihalani also served as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) from January 2015 to August 2017. During his tenure, his decisions and approach to film certification frequently made headlines, making him one of the most widely discussed figures associated with the board in recent years.