Bombay High Court refuses to hear CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani plea urgently

Observing that there is no urgency in the matter, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to hear a plea filed by former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, challenging the board’s show-cause notice to him that suggested around 20 cuts to his soon-to-be-released film, ‘Rangeela Raja’.

During his tenure as the board’s head, Nihalani had built a reputation of demanding numerous cuts to several films, most notably ‘Udta Punjab’, that was asked for 89 changes over various issues. He said “The court asked us to point the urgency in the hearing; we tried to tell it that the released is scheduled on November 16. However, the court suggested that the plea be taken up before a regular bench.”

Nihalani’s latest film — which he is both producing and directing — stars Govinda in a prominent role. The plea filed by Nihalani, through advocate Ashok Sarogi, seeks directions to the board to quash and set aside its notice and allow the film to be released without the suggested cuts. Nihalani said, “We would again move the court on November 12, seeking an urgent hearing.”

THE PETITION

The plea filed by Nihalani, through advocate Ashok Sarogi, seeks directions to the board to quash and set aside its notice and allow the film to be released without the suggested cuts.