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EXCLUSIVE: Jab Harry Met Sejal: Pahlaj Nihalani on 'intercourse' debate
CBFC Chief Pahlaj Nihalani reacts to the allegation that he has gone back on his words.
Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) Chief Pahlaj Nihalani has been on the receiving end even since he threw an open challenge to get 1 lakh votes in favour of the use of word 'intercourse' in Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma's upcoming film Jab Harry Met Sejal.
What happened is- when the mini trailer of JHMS was released online, CBFC objected to the use of the word 'intercourse' in the trailer for Television telecast. When questioned, Mr. Nihalani asked for votes in its favour following which he would pass the word.
However, in a viral video, the CBFC Chief is seen tongue-tied after a reporter questioned him on the same after the said channel managed to garner over 1 lakh votes on Twitter.
When PINKVILLA contacted the CBFC Chief to question him on the same, he responded by saying, "I said for tv, not on social media (votes) ."
On being further quizzed as to what does he exactly mean by this, Mr. Nihalani replied, "I never said on the social media. The said channel/tabloid is misleading, misquoting me and I am not going back on my words."
Explaining further, he said, "Whatever I said it is on the TV because I gave an interview to that channel which is TV medium and not social media. I asked for votes from people who watch these TV channels, those family who have 12-year-old and are ready to explain the meaning of the word to them, if they do, I would send the recommendation to the Govt."
"On social media, they are giving such misleading information and out of SRK's over 1 crore fan following they could only collect 80,000 votes on the sixth day and overnight [on the seventh day] all the fake accounts have given votes. How can I consider these social media votes based on fake accounts? Who are the genuine people here?" he asked.
Questioning the authenticity of the votes, Mr.Nihalani said, "For seven days, which voting goes on? 'voting saath din hoti hai kya?' They're running a campaign on social media for seven days that means they want to market their channel in the name of the CBFC."
Opening up on the viral video of him dodging a reporter's question, CBFC Chief said, "A young reporter asks me and follows me even in my lift. She waited six hours to seek a reply from me when I am entering the CBFC office, she is following me without my permission. This the decency of the democracy that you can go and ask any questions on the road and in the lift? This is completely ridiculous."
If not social media vote, what voting procedure does he deem good enough to pass the word? Responding to this, he said, "That is not my concern, I have not adopted any procedure. Every TV channel takes the vote on that, that was not my call, I only responded to the question asked by the reporter. They have misguided the people."
Lashing out at the media, Mr. Nihalani asked, "Producer is not bothered, he has not taken the certificate so far, neither he has come, neither he has applied his mind- revising pe bhi ja sakta hai. When the producer is not bothered, why is the channel behind the decision? Why are they not questioning the court, the judge, the Government?"
"We are only doing our work, will you question the judge why has he passed a judgment? If the producer is not happy with our decision, they can apply for the revising committee," he concluded.
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