Mumbai:
Filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani, who was appointed the chairperson of the Censor Board on Monday, told NDTV that he was an "inspired supporter" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Narendra Modi is India's hero, a global hero," said Mr Nihalani, who has come up with a musical tribute for the Prime Minister called "Har Ghar Modi, The Power House of India" urging viewers to vote for him. "I produced the tribute to Modi as he is man of action," he said.
But now, with the opposition is alleging that Mr Nihalani is an appointee whose political inclinations compromise him in his new position, he told NDTV, "I will not let any political influence impact my decisions as censor board chief".
Mr Nihalani's appointment took place after his predecessor Leela Samson resigned last week alleging interference by the government.
The resignation of Samson - and all the other members of the board -- and her allegations had created a stir. Calling them "rebels without a cause," Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said the present government, in contrast to the UPA, keeps its distance from the process of film certification.
Today, an official statement announced Mr Nihalani's appointment to the post in an honorary capacity for a period of three years or until further orders.
The government also reconstituted the board appointing nine others as members including BJP leader Vani Tripathi Tikoo and filmmakers Ashoke Pandit and Chandra Prakash Dwivedi.
Mr Nihalani, elder brother of renowned director Govind Nihalani, has produced films like "Aankhen", "Talaash: The Hunt Begins..." and "Shola Aur Shabnam".