CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani defends controversial list

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Press Trust of India Mumbai
Last Updated : Feb 17 2015 | 7:30 PM IST
Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani today defended the banned words list issued by CBFC, saying anyone having a problem with the guidelines should approach the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
Nihalani, who was appointed as Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief after Leela Samson resigned, was criticised by fellow board member Ashoke Pandit.
Pandit had tweeted that board members were not consulted before the list, which was leaked to media, was forwarded to regional offices.
The producer said his office made a list of most commonly used cuss words.
"I have not made up these words. The list was given to me by my office and it was circulated among us. It was not for the media. It was not to be made public. It was given to them to follow the guidelines," Nihalani told Times Now.
"I am just following the guidelines. I am not bringing anything on my own. If the industry people have a problem, they should go to the ministry and get their approval. I will follow it," he added.
The list, which includes some 28 cuss words, has angered filmmakers in Bollywood. They have called it absurd, regressive and against creative freedom.
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First Published: Feb 17 2015 | 7:30 PM IST

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