CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi reports unwell on Day 1; Pahlaj Nihalani reportedly takes over in his absence

The news of the sacking of Pahlaj Nihalani, the former chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the subsequent appointment of Prasoon Joshi was celebrated by many in the film industry and on social media. Nihalani was a controversial chief who was frequently lambasted for his absurd decisions regarding the certification of films and the cuts ordered for them. [caption id=“attachment_3921969” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Pahlaj Nihalani and Prasoon Joshi. Images via Facebook[/caption] Prasoon Joshi’s arrival was highly anticipated, but it appears that he was not able to visit the CBFC’s office on Monday, which was his first day. DNA reports that the lyricist-adman was feeling under the weather, and his absence caused disorder at the board. “On Friday, before Pahlaj Nihalani left his office he had certified many films including Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s Bareilly Ki Barfi and the Sidharth Malhotra-Jacqueline Fernandez thriller, A Gentleman, scheduled to be released on the two Fridays to come one after the other.” “These producers were to collect their censor certificates on Monday as per the rules. When Prasoon didn’t turn up at the CBFC office on Monday, all hell broke loose since there was no chairperson to organise the smooth delivery of the certificates (sic),” said an unverified source speaking to DNA. It is also being reported that Nihalani had to step in, considering this situation, to ensure that Bareilly Ki Barfi, which stars Rajkumar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana and Kriti Sanon and releases on 18 August, could obtain a certificate. The producers of the film reportedly contacted him. Prasoon Joshi is now expected to assume office on Friday, 18 August.