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Producer Pahlaj Nihalani passes away at 76 due to health related ailment
Popular Indian film producer, Pahlaj Nihalani has breathed his last in Mumbai. He was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
Trigger Warning: This article mentions death, which could be triggering to some.
Veteran Bollywood producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson, Pahlaj Nihalani, has passed away at the age of 76. He had been suffering from an ongoing illness and breathed his last at died at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai in the morning on June 4, 2026. Nihalani was a highly influential figure in the Indian film industry who wore many hats over his decades-long career.
Pahlaj Nihalani no more
It breaks our hearts to report that ace Indian producer, Pahlaj Nihalani, is no longer with us. Nihalani was a key player in the commercial Hindi cinema landscape, particularly during the late 1980s and 1990s. He was known for producing high-octane masala entertainers that resonated heavily with mass audiences.
Nihalani produced his first film, Haathkadi, back in 1982. He played a pivotal role in shaping the career trajectories of major stars. Notably, he frequently collaborated with Govinda, producing massive hits like Shola Aur Shabnam and the 1993 blockbuster Aankhen.
His filmography as a producer and distributor also includes movies like Aag Ka Gola, Rangeela Raja, and the thriller Julie 2. Beyond individual projects, he served as the president of the Association of Pictures and TV Programme Producers for nearly 29 years until his resignation in 2009.
In January 2015, Nihalani was appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In August 2017, he was replaced by lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
According to journalist Vickey Lalwani, the senior producer had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. For the past four months, he had been on the way to recovery from the illness. But sadly, on Thursday, he lost the battle. The funeral will be held today in Mumbai at 3 pm.
“He was under the treatment of Dr Jayant Barve and was being shifted from one hospital to another for the last thirty days,” shared Lalwani. Pahlaj Nihalani's passing marks the end of an era. He will be remembered as a producer who understood the pulse of 90s mainstream cinema.
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