Pahlaj Nihalani reacts to 'Padmavati' row and CBFC: Delaying the decision is shying away from job

Former chief of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Pahlaj Nihalani was constantly under the scanner for having his way while certifying films and snipping them as per his whims as well. But now, things have been taken over by the new CBFC chief Prason Joshi. Recently, The Censor Board had returned Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmavati without certifying it, owing to 'incomplete application' by the makers. 

The release of the Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor starrer film was then voluntarily delayed by the makers. Now that the film has been resent to the CBFC, the certification process has been delayed further as the film awaits its turn to be watched by the CBFC members. 

While speaking with a news channel about the Padmavati row and the subsequent delay, post which Prasoon Joshi decided to take a "balanced decision" on the film after consulting specialists, Nihalani shared, "This is the job of the panel members who have been nominated by the government. Delaying the decision is shying away from their job. There is no if and but, approving the film is the responsibility of the censor board, not public or the government. I have never done something like this in my tenure. I have never delayed a film. Small or big, all films are important to the CBFC.”

As of now, the CBFC rule suggests that a film has to be submitted 68 days before its release so that the certification process can be smooth. 

Meanwhile, several fringe groups have been objecting to the release of Padmavati saying that it distorts history and presents the Rajputs in a bad light. The final certification of the film is still pending.