<p>Bollywood film producer Pahlaj Nihalani, also brother-in-law of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union minister Shatrughan Sinha, is the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).<br /><br /></p>.<p> The government appointed him within a week after Leela Samson resigned from the post accusing the government, politicians and religious groups of “coercing” the board to give certification to films.<br /><br />Nihalani will hold the post in an honorary capacity from Monday for a period of three years or “until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated.<br /><br />Known for producing several blockbusters, including Bollywood star Govinda’s 1992 mega-hit “Aankhen”, Nihalani also produced a full-length music video titled “Har Ghar Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi” ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.<br /><br />The government also appointed nine new members as the posts fell vacant after the sitting members resigned. Almost all new members are associated with the BJP.<br /><br />The newly appointed members will continue to hold the post for a period of three years or until further orders, the ministry stated.<br /><br />Telugu actor-turned-filmmaker Jeevitha is one among the nine members. The actor, who landed in a controversy after getting embroiled in a check bounce case a few years ago, had joined the BJP ahead of the general election.<br /><br />Former national secretary of the BJP Vani Tripathi Tikoo, George Baker—who contested the Lok Sabha polls from Howrah in West Bengal on a BJP ticket—and Ramesh Patange, who has links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, have all been appointed members of the CBFC.<br /></p>
<p>Bollywood film producer Pahlaj Nihalani, also brother-in-law of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union minister Shatrughan Sinha, is the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).<br /><br /></p>.<p> The government appointed him within a week after Leela Samson resigned from the post accusing the government, politicians and religious groups of “coercing” the board to give certification to films.<br /><br />Nihalani will hold the post in an honorary capacity from Monday for a period of three years or “until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated.<br /><br />Known for producing several blockbusters, including Bollywood star Govinda’s 1992 mega-hit “Aankhen”, Nihalani also produced a full-length music video titled “Har Ghar Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi” ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.<br /><br />The government also appointed nine new members as the posts fell vacant after the sitting members resigned. Almost all new members are associated with the BJP.<br /><br />The newly appointed members will continue to hold the post for a period of three years or until further orders, the ministry stated.<br /><br />Telugu actor-turned-filmmaker Jeevitha is one among the nine members. The actor, who landed in a controversy after getting embroiled in a check bounce case a few years ago, had joined the BJP ahead of the general election.<br /><br />Former national secretary of the BJP Vani Tripathi Tikoo, George Baker—who contested the Lok Sabha polls from Howrah in West Bengal on a BJP ticket—and Ramesh Patange, who has links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, have all been appointed members of the CBFC.<br /></p>
