Anupam Kher’s Film Will Need an NOC From Manmohan Singh: Nihalani

Pahlaj Nihalani says the makers of ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ need to get an NOC from Congress leaders.

The poster of The Accidental Prime Minister; CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani. (Photos courtesy: Twitter)

On Tuesday morning, the world woke up to the announcement that  Anupam Kher will play former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in  a film adaptation of Sanjaya Baru’s book, The Accidental Prime Minister. Kher also tweeted the first poster of the film on Wednesday.

Even the CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani saw the announcement and was very happy for Kher.

Says Nihalani appreciatively, “He’s such a versatile actor. At the age of 28 he had played an old man so brilliantly in Saaransh. I am sure he will do full justice to Manmohan Singhji’s character,  though it would have to be more expressions than  words. As we all  know, Manmohan Singhji hardly speaks. I am sure the dialogue writer would not have much to contribute to the character.”

However, Nihalani warns that the film’s makers would have to abide by the rudimentary guideline regarding all films based on real-life characters.

The makers of The Accidental  Prime Minister – producer Sunil Bohra and Ashoke Pandit, would have to get an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Manmohan Singhji, Sonia  Gandhi​ji ​and all the other real-life politicians who are part  of the narrative. This rule  applies without fail. There are no  exceptions.  And although my current tenure as the CBFC chairperson ends in January 2018 and this film will come up for censorship after that, I am sure the guidelines regarding biopics would remain unchanged.

Pahlaj Nihalani, CBFC, Chairperson

  We wonder if the film’s team is aware of this.

Replies Nihalani, “I am sure they are. Anupam Kher was  himself the CBFC chairperson  not too long ago. Ashoke Pandit who considers himself a  part of the CBFC, is also a part of the film on Manmohan Singhji, and Hansal Mehta who is writing the film claims to be victim of  the  censorship guidelines every time his film is on release. I can’t imagine how these people cannot be aware  of the ‘NOC’ required for censor clearance of  films based on  real-life figures.”