Veteran film producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani passed away in Mumbai on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He was 76. A renowned figure in the Hindi film industry for more than four decades, Nihalani was known both for producing several commercial Bollywood films and for his tenure as the head of India's film certification body. According to the report, Nihalani breathed his last at around 9:30 am at his Mumbai residence. Sources told NDTV that he had been unwell for some time. However, the exact cause of death has not yet been disclosed.The news of his passing was confirmed by his family through an official statement."With profound grief, we inform you of the passing of our beloved Pahlaj Nihalani on 4th June 2026. The cremation ceremony will be held today, 04.06.2026 at 3 pm at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers as we bid a final farewell," the statement read.His last rites are scheduled to take place at the Santacruz Hindu Crematorium in Mumbai at 3 pm on Thursday.A long journey in BollywoodPahlaj Nihalani was a familiar name in the Hindi film industry long before he entered public discussions as CBFC chief. He began his career as a film producer in the early 1980s and quickly established himself in mainstream commercial cinema.His first production, Haathkadi, was released in 1982. He followed it up with Aandhi-Toofan in 1985, continuing to build a reputation as a producer of mass-market entertainers.Over the years, Nihalani backed a number of Hindi films across different genres. Some of the notable projects associated with him include Aankhen, Andaz, Talaash, Julie 2 and Rangeela Raja. His productions featured some of the biggest stars of their time and catered to a wide audience.Through the decades, he remained actively involved in Bollywood and was regarded as one of the industry's veteran producers.His tenure as CBFC chiefApart from filmmaking, Pahlaj Nihalani was also known for serving as chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification between 2015 and 2017.His time at the CBFC often generated headlines and sparked debate within the film industry. Several certification decisions made during his tenure led to discussions about censorship, artistic freedom and the role of regulatory bodies in cinema.Filmmakers, actors and industry observers frequently debated the board's approach under his leadership. As a result, Nihalani became one of the most talked-about CBFC chiefs in recent years.Whether people agreed with his decisions or not, his tenure played a significant role in shaping conversations around film certification in India during that period.For many in the industry, Pahlaj Nihalani represented an era of commercial Hindi cinema that spanned multiple decades. From producing films in the 1980s to heading the country's film certification board decades later, he remained closely connected to the Indian entertainment industry throughout his career.His contributions extended beyond film production, influencing broader discussions about cinema and regulation in India.Nihalani is survived by his wife, Nita Nihalani, and their three sons, Vishal, Deepesh and Chirag.