In an interesting development, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief, Pahlaj Nihalani was removed from his post on Friday evening. 

The new head of the certification board will be Prasoon Joshi.

Nihalani has been widely criticised for the censorship in Bollywood films in the past. He has been instrumental in instructing cuts in several scenes and removal of certain words in movies. Nihalani took charge as the CBFC chief on January 2015.

b’Nihalani took charge as the CBFC chief on January 2015. Credit: PTI’

Of course, the good people of Twitter had their own interesting takes on the issue:

While it’s still to be seen what kind of censor chief Prasoon Joshi will turn out to be. Here are a few facts that you need to know about him:

1. He is a lyricist, screenwriter, and a poet.

2. He has received National Awards for Best Lyrics for ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and ‘Chittagong’.

b’Credit: PTI’

3. He was the first Asian to head the Cannes Lions Titanium jury at the Cannes International Advertising Festival in June 2014.

4. In 2006, he was chosen a ‘Young Global Leader 2006’ by the Forum of Young Global Leaders, an affiliate of the World Economic Forum.

5. He was only 17 years old when his first book, a collection of poems, was published.

Joshi’s appointment drew praises from eminent personalities.

Feature image source: PTI