Archive · 17 Sep 2026
India Reconstitutes CBFC With New 18-Member Committee Amid Certification Debate
India has created a new 18-member group to certify films.
This group is called the Central Board of Film Certification, or CBFC.
Its members include actors, a filmmaker and musician Ricky Kej.
They will serve for three years, unless the government changes the arrangement sooner.
The board's leadership has not been reported as changing in the latest announcement.
The reconstitution comes during a public debate about how films are checked before release.
The film Satluj was delayed for nearly three years after its makers said the board requested 127 cuts.
It was later released without those cuts on ZEE5 but was removed in India within 48 hours.
The board's legal responsibilities have not changed.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification with 18 members.
The committee will serve for three years or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.
Members include Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi, Manoj Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Priyadarshan and Grammy-winner Ricky Kej.
The overhaul follows certification disputes involving Satluj, Welcome To The Jungle and Jana Nayagan.
The CBFC's statutory role remains governed by the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the 2024 certification rules.
- Who
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting appointed an 18-member Central Board of Film Certification, including actors, filmmaker Priyadarshan and musician Ricky Kej.
- What
- The government reconstituted India's film-certification board.
- When
- The change was announced on Wednesday and takes effect immediately for up to three years.
- Where
- The board operates in India; Satluj was released on ZEE5 and then removed from the platform in India.
- Why
- The reconstitution had been pending because some previous members were no longer active or had completed their terms, and it comes amid continuing debate over film certification.
Filmmakers and Audiences
Government and Certification Authorities
Cuts and release delays
Filmmakers and Audiences
Filmmakers have raised concerns that certification demands can result in extensive cuts, long delays and legal disputes, as illustrated by Satluj and other films.
Government and Certification Authorities
The government says the reconstituted board continues to operate under the Cinematograph Act and the 2024 certification rules.
Meaning of the overhaul
Filmmakers and Audiences
The new membership may be viewed as significant because certification decisions affect whether films can be released and in what form.
Government and Certification Authorities
The change primarily replaces or refreshes board membership; the CBFC's statutory role and legal framework remain unchanged.
- Board
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- New membership
- 18 members
- Term
- Three years or until further orders, whichever comes earlier
- Legal basis
- Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, read with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024
- Notable members
- Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi, Manoj Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Priyadarshan, Neela Madhab Panda and Ricky Kej
- Recent certification dispute
- Satluj's makers alleged that the CBFC sought 127 cuts after the film had remained in the process for nearly three years
- Satluj release
- The film appeared on ZEE5 without the alleged cuts but was removed in India within 48 hours
- CBFC chief
- The announcement did not mention a change to the chief; the report identified Shashi Shekhar Vempati as serving in that role
