Film producer Pahlaj Nihalani,was appointed the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), along with nine new members.
“The Central Government is pleased to appoint Pahlaj Nihalani as Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification in an honorary capacity from Jan 19, 2015 for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” read a statement from the ministry of information and broadcasting.
The nine members appointed with immediate effect include Mihir Bhuta, Syed Abdul Bari, Ramesh Patange, George Baker, Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, Jeevitha, Vani Tripathi Tikoo, S. Ve Shekhar and Ashoke Pandit.
The decision comes just days after Samson resigned as CBFC chairperson, citing interference, coercion and corruption of panel members.
CBFC is a statutory body under the ministry of information and broadcasting. It regulates the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952.
Samson, an acclaimed Bharatnatyam dancer, was appointed its chair in 2011, and she and her members were continuing on interim extensions.