Pahlaj Nihalani, who turned the censor board into a precinct of serial controversy, has been sacked as the organisation's chairman. His successor is famous lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

Pahlaj Nihalani, who turned the censor board into a precinct of serial controversy, has been sacked as the organisation's chairman. His successor is famous lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

Colleagues of Mr Nihalani  had accused him of treating the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)  like his personal fiefdom, while film makers and critics accused him of demanding irrational cuts and moral policing. 

Recent scandals involved a demand for multiple cuts in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Indu Sarkar" which depicts the Emergency and his refusal to certify "Lipstick Under My Burqa" which explores female sexuality. Mr Nihalani described it as "lady-oriented," complaining of sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography (phone sex) and  implied the film might offend Muslims.

Director Alankrita Shrivastava won her case after challenging the censor board at an appeals tribunal.