Cinema VinesThe Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced a new Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) that will serve for the next three years. The reconstituted board will comprise 18 members and will be chaired by Shashi Shekhar Vempati, who will continue in that role. The decision, made in a recent press release, aims to bring a broader range of creative voices into the certification process.
Representatives from across India’s entertainment spectrum have been selected, including film, television, music, theatre and literature. The lineup features high‑profile actors, regional filmmakers, producers, theatre personalities, musicians, writers and critics, ensuring that the board reflects the diversity of the country’s cultural output.
Among the actors appointed are Pankaj Tripathi, known for his nuanced performances in both mainstream and independent cinema, and Preity Zinta, a veteran of Hindi cinema whose career spans the 1990s and 2000s. Suniel Shetty, with more than a hundred films to his credit, and Prosenjit Chatterjee, a stalwart of Bengali cinema, also join the panel. Television stalwarts such as Rupali Ganguly, famed for her role in Anupamaa, and the versatile Pallavi Joshi, who has worked as both actor and filmmaker, are included as well. Manoj Joshi, a National Award winner with a background in Gujarati theatre, and Nishigandha Wad, a veteran of Marathi and Hindi cinema, add further depth to the board’s experience.
In the filmmaking arena, director Priyadarshan is among the new members, bringing decades of experience in Indian cinema. The board’s composition is designed to incorporate insights from various regional film industries and from the broader creative community, a move that could influence how films are reviewed and certified in the coming years.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati’s continued chairmanship signals continuity in the CBFC’s leadership, while the infusion of fresh talent across multiple artistic domains is expected to modernise the board’s approach to film certification. The ministry’s announcement underscores a commitment to balancing regulatory oversight with creative freedom, reflecting the evolving landscape of Indian cinema.
