Nihalani’s colleagues had accused him of treating the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) like his personal fiefdom, while film makers and critics accused him of demanding irrational cuts and moral policing, reported the NDTV.
The complaints against Nihalani were mounting as the film fraternity univocally criticised the board. This was echoed by filmmakers and producers as well.
Over the last few months, Nihalani was addressed as ‘sanskari’ chief, especially after removing a kissing scene from the Hollywood film Spectre as it was “too excessive”.
Nihalani raked up several controversies during his tenure as the Chief. Banning Lipstick Under My Burkha for being ‘female-oriented’ The objection was against “sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography (phone sex)” and said that the film might offend Muslims.
Recently, Nihalani asked the makers of Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jab Harry Met Sejal to get one lakh endorsements through a news organisation so that he would ask the I&B ministry to un-censor the word ‘intercourse’ in the film. Last year, Nihalani came under severe criticism when he asked the makers of Udta Punjab to drop the reference of Punjab from the film’s title. He ordered no less than 89 cuts, including cuss words.
The centre faced brickbats when Nihalani demanded the removal of words like ‘Gujarat’ and ‘cow’ from Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen’s documentary, The Argumentative Indian. The film industry had been constantly complaining of Nihalani’s conservatism and ‘grandfatherly’ approach when it came to on-screen drinking and smoking scenes, despite statutory warnings.
Sources in the I & B ministry say that the centre was dissatisfied with Nihalani’s tenure as he antagonised the film community and was not seen as inspirational. His stint as CBFC chief only caused more trouble for the centre.
Sources in the central government say that Nihalani was constantly creating a discomfort in the film industry and that everyone was quite upset with the way filmmakers were treated. A senior government official said that the ministry had received complaints of Nihalani disrespecting filmmakers and people from the industry. The move also has the stamp of the I & B minister, who due to her background understands game and could fathom the grouse of the industry.