Pahlaj Nihalani claims his film Rangeela Raja was targeted because of his 'blunt views' on CBFC operations

Pahlaj Nihalani , the producer of Govinda -starrer Rangeela Raja , says that his film did not have a good opening at the box office because the entertainment industry is run by a “glamorous mafia.” In an interview with news agency IANS, he said that Rangeela Raja was not able to get the theatres required. He was of the view that his tenure as the chief of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which was marred by controversies, as various filmmakers had accused him of asking for arbitrary cuts in their films, also played a role in the film not securing enough screens. [caption id=“attachment_3920607” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Pahlaj Nihalani. File image.[/caption] “I am being targeted for my blunt views on the workings of the censor board, and because of me, my leading man Govinda is being targeted. If you ask me, Govinda and I have the maximum number of enemies in the film industry,” he told IANS. Nihalani said that he was refused a release in states like Bihar and Jharkhand, which he called “traditional strongholds of Govinda.” Rangeela Raja ran into trouble after the CBFC recommended 20 cuts in the film, deeming the content ‘misogynistic’ and ‘sexist’. Nihalani refused to comply with the demands and moved the court against CBFC. The former CBFC chief then took the matter to Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), which cleared the decks for its release by striking down nine objections the committee had against the film and retaining three, according to a report by  India Today.

In the hearing, Nihalani’s counsel opposed the CBFC’s claims of “undue objectification of women and glorification of violence” by using films like Biwi No 1 and Pati Patni Aur Woh as examples. The CBFC had also asked the makers to remove a scene in which Govinda slaps his wife, saying it promoted violence against women. The FCAT retained the scene and justified it by saying that it was not a case of “gross violence” and need not be excised.

After missing its original release date of 16 November, 2018, Rangeela Raja hit theatres on 11 January with a U/A certificate.