Pahlaj Nihalani says erotic thriller 'Julie 2' has no objectionable content

Pahlaj Nihalani

Former Censor Board chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani has returned as presenter with the erotic-thriller, Julie 2. An ironic move, considering Nihalani, during his 31-month-long tenure as the CBFC chief, came down heavily on content that he deemed 'bold'. However, he doesn't understand the brouhaha over being associated with Julie 2. "When I was the CBFC chairperson, everybody questioned why I was following the guidelines. But, I did not make ad hoc rules; these were the guidelines that were provided to me by the government. Julie 2 will be subjected to the same guidelines. So, why are people asking how a sanskari man like me has become asanskari with Julie 2," he says.

Elaborating on how he still remains sanskari at heart, Nihalani says he is certain that the Raai Laxmi-starrer won't warrant any cuts. "There is no objectionable content -- no obscenity, no vulgarity, no double meaning or cuss words in Julie 2. As a producer, distributor and more importantly, a man with experience in Bollywood, I am aware of the CBFC guidelines. I have been going to the CBFC since 1967 for my productions, so I know the rules like the back of my hand. There should not be a single cut in
the movie."

Having said that, Nihalani adds that he will happily accept the certification provided by the CBFC. "I am expecting an A certificate, I don't want a U/A certificate. But, there will be no controversy over the certification; neither will I create one as a producer," he says, alluding to a few filmmakers who objected to the cuts that the CBFC ordered during his tenure.