The demise of veteran producer and former CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani has brought renewed attention to some of his most outspoken interviews. Throughout his career, the filmmaker was known for expressing his views without hesitation, often sparking debates within the industry.In one such conversation on the Learn From The Legend podcast, Nihalani shared his thoughts on Bollywood’s evolving work culture, rising entourage expenses, and the growing influence of actors in filmmaking decisions. Nihalani did not hold back while discussing the increasing demands of actors and their teams. Comparing the present-day system with the film industry of earlier decades, he argued that productions have become burdened by unnecessary expenses.“Where one person was working now, 10 people are employed. Earlier, there used to be one vanity van, but now actors demand six vanity vans, one for exercising, one for kitchen, one for meetings,” he said. The producer further criticised stars for what he viewed as excessive expectations on film sets. “Sharam ani chahiye un actors ko jo che vanity vans mangate hai (Actors should feel ashamed for asking for six vanity vans),” he remarked.According to Nihalani, the support staff accompanying actors has also increased dramatically over the years. “Earlier only makeup man used to go with actors, now they demand a separate hairdresser and a person just to hold their mirror. They give Rs 1.5 lakh bills for nothing. Assi assi hazaar ka make-up chahiye,” (They want makeup that costs Rs 80,000) he stated.

Pahlaj Nihalani’s strong remarks on drug culture in Bollywood

During the same interaction, Nihalani also addressed the issue of substance abuse in the film industry. He alleged that while some actors publicly project disciplined lifestyles, their private habits tell a different story. “Earlier they used to bring home cooked food, but now they want diet food. They want drugs at night and diet food in the morning,” he said.When asked whether drug culture still exists in Bollywood, his response was immediate. “Of course it exists. Kuch actors ke toh aankhon mein hi aapko dikhega drug hi drug hai,” (With some actors, you can see it in their eyes that they’re under the influence of drugs), he claimed. The remarks generated significant discussion at the time and once again highlighted Nihalani’s reputation for making controversial observations.

His comments on Akshay Kumar and casting decisions

Nihalani also reflected on the changing power dynamics within the industry and recalled an experience from the making of ‘Talaash: The Hunt Begins…’. The producer revealed that Akshay Kumar had strongly recommended Kareena Kapoor for the film, something he described as unusual at the time.According to Nihalani, it was among the earliest instances in his career where an actor played such a significant role in casting decisions, a trend he believes has now become common across Bollywood. When asked about the reason why Akshay wanted Kareena for the film, he said, “Sometimes, as the actors grow old they want to star against younger actresses so that their own age looks less.“

Pahlaj Nihalani’s legacy

While his outspoken views frequently made headlines, Pahlaj Nihalani’s contribution to Indian cinema extended far beyond controversies. He began his journey as a producer with ‘Haathkadi’ in 1982 and went on to back several successful films. He played a crucial role in launching Govinda with ‘Ilzaam’ and introduced Chunky Pandey in ‘Aag Hi Aag’.Over the years, he produced popular entertainers such as ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’ and ‘Aankhen’, which remain memorable entries in Hindi cinema. He later ventured into direction with ‘Avatar’ and produced his final film, ‘Rangeela Raja’, in 2019.

Remembering a vocal industry figure

Nihalani was never one to shy away from expressing his opinions, whether as a producer, industry representative, or former CBFC chief. His comments often sparked debate, but they also reflected his deep involvement in the film industry and his concern for its changing culture.