Pahlaj Nihalani accuses Anurag Kashyap of leaking his own films for money; takes dig at Prasoon Joshi: ‘He doesn’t even come to office’

Blaming Anurag for orchestrating controversy to generate buzz, Nihalani added, “He thought six days are left for the film’s release, but it is not gaining any traction. This was Anurag‘s play, and he did it all the time.” Accusing Anurag of deliberately leaking his own films, Nihalani further claimed, “He would leak videos, this was his business point, and he cashes on that.”

Nihalani also took a direct dig at Prasoon Joshi, the current chairperson of CBFC. He remarked, “There are a lot of problems in censor board now as Prasoon Joshi doesn’t go to office, so it’s a free for all. He has been the longest serving chairman of the board as he has been the chairman for 7 years but he doesn’t come to office. The office is being run by CEO.”

Udta Punjab controversy

The board had initially suggested 13-pointer list that demands 94 effective cuts in Udta Punjab and granted it an A certificate. However, after the makers approached the court, the Bombay High Court struck down the stay and allowed the film’s national release with just a single cut in the screenplay.

Following Nihalani’s statement, producers and superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan publicly came out in support of the film. The makers also alleged that Nihalani had deliberately refused to hand them the letter mentioning the cuts. The demand for Nihalani’s removal as CBFC chairman intensified after the controversy.

“That is something intolerable, unacceptable to the film fraternity and we want him out. His move is malicious and vicious. He lies, delays the process and will bully the person,” Mukesh Bhatt, President of the Film and Producers Guild of India, had told reporters at a joint news conference in Mumbai opposing the film’s censorship in 2016.