Pahlaj Nihalani, a prominent filmmaker and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), was cremated on June 4, 2026, at the Santa Cruz crematorium in Mumbai. He passed away at the age of 76 after battling a prolonged illness. The ceremony saw a gathering of notable personalities from the film industry, including Govinda, Farhan Akhtar, and Shatrughan Sinha, who came to pay their last respects. Nihalani was well-known for his controversial role at the CBFC, where he implemented strict censorship guidelines and faced backlash for his decisions on film certifications. His tenure included notable controversies, such as the certification of 'Udta Punjab,' which led to a court case due to his proposed cuts. Beyond his role in film certification, Nihalani was also recognized for producing successful films like 'Aankhen' and for introducing actors such as Govinda and Chunky Pandey to the industry. Recently, he was in the news due to allegations from actress Niki Aneja regarding mistreatment during the filming of 'Mr Azad' in 1993.