The Indian government has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), appointing an 18-member panel that includes prominent figures from the entertainment industry such as actors Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, and Pankaj Tripathi. This new board, effective immediately, is set to serve for a period of three years or until further directives are issued.
Key Appointments to the CBFC Board
The newly formed panel is led by CBFC Chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati. Alongside the aforementioned actors, other notable inductees include actor-filmmaker Prosenjit Chatterjee, acclaimed director Priyadarshan, filmmaker and actor Pallavi Joshi, and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej. Veteran actor Manoj Joshi and singer Hans Raj Hans are also among the new members.
The full list of the 18-member board comprises:
- Vinod Anupam
- Manoj Joshi
- Abhishek Jain
- Ricky Kej
- Priyadarshan
- Suniel Shetty
- Hans Raj Hans
- Supriya Yarlagadda
- Yatindra Mishra
- Roopali Ganguly
- Preity Zinta
- Neela Madhab Panda
- Pankaj Tripathi
- Prosenjit Chatterjee
- Pallavi Joshi
- Nishigandha Wad
- Waman Kendre
- Ramesh Patange
Context of the Reconstitution
This reconstitution follows the previous board, which was established in August 2017 and had continued beyond its initial three-year tenure. The government acted under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the updated Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, to form the new body responsible for examining and certifying films for public exhibition across India.
Two members from the previous board, theatre director Waman Kendre and writer Ramesh Patange, have been retained in the new panel, ensuring a degree of continuity. The outgoing board included personalities such as actor Vidya Balan and filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Central Board of Film Certification plays a crucial role in regulating film content, ensuring it meets established guidelines before public release. This new panel brings together a diverse group of individuals with backgrounds ranging from acting and directing to music and literature, aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective on film certification standards.