‘I Wish I Had Met Him’: Anupam Kher Remembers Pahlaj Nihalani, Shares Emotional Last Conversation

Actor Anupam Kher has paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran film producer and former CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, expressing regret that he never got the chance to visit him in hospital before his death.

Nihalani passed away on June 4 at the age of 76, leaving behind a decades-long legacy in the Hindi film industry as a producer, mentor and influential industry figure.

Anupam Kher Remembers a Friend and Mentor

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Kher shared an emotional video message and a note remembering his long association with Nihalani, with whom he worked on several films over the years.

“The news of Pahlaj Nihalani ji’s passing has left a strange emptiness in my heart,” Kher wrote. “I worked with him in several films and every experience with him was a pleasant one. During the shooting of Shola Aur Shabnam, we not only made a good film but also created countless memories.”

Describing Nihalani as much more than a successful producer, Kher remembered him as a warm-hearted and generous person who valued relationships above all else.

“Pahlaj ji was an excellent producer, but more importantly, he was an excellent human being. He was cheerful, generous at heart and had genuine affection for people. Sitting with him, talking to him and laughing with him always felt natural and warm,” he wrote.

“Today, as I remember him, his smiling face keeps appearing before my eyes. Pahlaj ji, you will be deeply missed.”

‘I Wanted to Meet Him’

In the video, Kher revealed that he had spoken to Nihalani just a week before his death after receiving an unexpected message from him.

“He played a very big role in my career. Just a week ago, I received a message from him asking, ‘How are you, Anupam ji?’ Whenever he saw something good, he would send a message,” Kher said.

Concerned after hearing from him, the actor immediately called Nihalani and learned that he had been admitted to hospital.

“I asked him where he was because I wanted to meet him. He told me he was in the hospital but would be discharged the next day. When I heard his voice, he sounded weak and a little sad,” Kher recalled.

According to the actor, Nihalani suggested postponing the meeting until he had recovered.

“He told me, ‘Let me get a little better and then you can come.’ I said I would visit the following week. And today I learned that he is no longer with us,” Kher said.

Reflection on Fame and Legacy

Kher also reflected on the fleeting nature of fame in the entertainment industry, noting that many people are forgotten once they are no longer in the spotlight.

“People are in the limelight for some time, and this world has a habit of forgetting those who are no longer in the spotlight. That is the unfortunate part of this profession,” he said.

“But people whose lives Pahlaj ji touched will never forget him, including me.”

Pahlaj Nihalani’s Legacy

A veteran producer, Nihalani began his career with Haathkadi in 1982 and went on to back several successful Bollywood films, including Ilzaam, Andaz, Talaash, Julie 2 and Rangeela Raja. He is widely credited with introducing actor Govinda to the film industry through Ilzaam in 1986.

Beyond filmmaking, Nihalani served as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between 2015 and 2017. His tenure frequently drew national attention because of his strict approach to film certification and debates surrounding censorship and artistic freedom.

Several members of the Hindi film industry, including Govinda, Varun Dhawan, Malaika Arora, Boney Kapoor and Shatrughan Sinha, attended his cremation ceremony in Mumbai to pay their final respects.

For many in the industry, Nihalani will be remembered not only for the films he produced but also for the personal relationships he built throughout a career spanning more than four decades.