Centre Recasts CBFC With 18-Member Board Led by Shashi Shekhar Vempati

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), appointing an 18-member panel that draws on film, television and music talent. The new board, constituted with immediate effect, will serve for three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati heads the board as chairperson. Among the members are actors Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi, Manoj Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi, Roopali Ganguly, Nishigandha Wad and Neela Madhab Panda, along with filmmaker Abhishek Jain, producer Supriya Yarlagadda and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej. Singer Hansraj Hans also finds a place on the panel.

The reconstitution was notified on September 16 in exercise of powers under Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, read with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.

The CBFC was last reconstituted in August 2017 for a three-year term. Members of that board continued in office beyond 2020, as no fresh reconstitution had been ordered, under provisions that allow them to remain until their successors are appointed.