- #HGWORLD
- #HGCREATORS
- #HGEXPLORE
- #HGVOICES
- #HGSHOP
- CAREERS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
When master of morality himself, Pahlaj Nihalani was removed from his position as chief of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) a few weeks ago, it’s safe to say India bid him farewell with the greatest of ease. Today however, he’s back on the front page and donning a new persona that has us wondering...lobotomy? Whispers began circulating when his name appeared as a distributor on the poster for Julie 2, a sequel to the 2004 Hindi erotic film Julie.
The sexually-charged drama follows the exploits of call girl, Julie, and her forays into the world of Indian escorts. Sounds pretty ‘lady-oriented’, doesn’t it? For those not in the know, this was the very reason he cited for banning (or attempting to ban) Lipstick Under My Burkha, but that doesn’t seem to worry him now. Perhaps Julie 2 is all set to describe the life of a call girl but in accordance with Nihalani’s previous ideals, but this will have to be done without any mention of sex if his banning of the term ‘sexual intercourse’ in Imtiaz Ali’s Jab Harry Met Sejal is anything to go by.
Over the course of his career, his many stabs at single-handedly upholding India’s moral reputation has cited the 1952 Cinematograph Act. Though this act is definitely in need of an update, it doesn’t logically justify all of his prudish behaviour. Such as the times he took it upon himself to dictate the appropriate length of a kiss in a James Bond movie, Spectre or cutting any and all references to homosexuality. His involvement in Julie 2 may in some ways be an attempt to prove to the world that he is in fact a champion of free expression. That the racy trailer showing a woman stripping down on a gold-soaked beach is in fact a testament to his modern, feminist, forward thinking ideals perhaps?
As a nation, we’ve reached a level of apathy where we are no longer surprised by our government and leaders driving the nation into turmoil. Whether it was something as immense as the disastrous after effects of demonestisation or this ridiculous turnaround by an erstwhile entertainment magnate, nothing seems to stir the level of outrage the situation deserves. Perhaps though, if we can muster up some sarcastic tweets or a handful of snarky memes, it’s time to take this well-placed anger away from the interwebs and put it to some practical use.
If you enjoyed this article we suggest you read:
