Veteran film producer and former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, passed away on June 4, 2026, in Mumbai.
After his funeral, the family members of the late producer held a in the city on June 6. Many celebrities like Hema Malini, Anil Kapoor, Chunky Panday and others arrived to pay their last tributes to Pahlaj Nihalani. Actor Govinda, who made his Bollywood debut in Pahlaj’s Ilzaam (1986), attended his mentor’s prayer meet earlier this evening. The actor looked visibly emotional as he remembered Pahlaj Nihalani at his prayer meet.
Govinda At Pahlaj Nihalani’s Prayer Meet
A video is currently going viral from Pahlaj Nihalani’s prayer meet in Mumbai, where is seen getting out of his car in all white attire. He is seen wearing a white kurta and pyjama. After reaching the venue. The actor hugged Pahlaj’s relative and shared an emotional moment with him.
After Pahlaj’s demise, Govinda said that Pahlaj is the one who brought him out of poverty. For the unversed, Govinda’s father Aroon was an actor in Bollywood. He lost his money after his first production venture failed at the box office. Govinda was born in a chawl in Virar.
Apart from Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Farhan Akhtar, Shibani Dandekar, Jackie Shroff, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, Zoya Akhtar, Anupam Kher, David Dhawan and others also offered their condolences to Nihalani’s family at the prayer meet.
After Pahlaj Nihalani’s death, Govinda remembered him. He revealed he worked with Pahlaj a lot. Right from Shola Aur Shabnam to Rangeela Raja, Pahlaj and Govinda collaborated on many films. He was heartbroken after learning about Nihalani’s death.
Govinda considers Pahlaj Nihalani like his foundation stone. Govinda also said that Pahlaj would always praise him. He said, “It’s a big loss not just for me but for the whole industry.”
About Pahlaj Nihalani
Pahlaj Nihalani had produced many films. He had majorly produced films which had Govinda as the lead actor. The producer was 76 and died at his residence in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. As per reports, he had been suffering from liver cirrosis and had been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai.
Apart from producing films, Pahlaj Nihalani had also directed a film, Avatar, starring Govinda in the lead role. He also did a special appearance in the film Halla Bol (2008).