Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Centre Reconstitutes CBFC With 18-Member Film Certification Panel
The Indian government has chosen a new team for the board that certifies films for public release.
This board is called the Central Board of Film Certification, or CBFC.
The new team has 18 members from acting, filmmaking, music, writing and theatre.
Famous members include Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty and Ricky Kej.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati will lead the board.
The members will serve for three years unless the government changes the board sooner.
Only Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange were kept from the previous team.
The earlier team stayed on after its term ended because a replacement had not yet been appointed.
The Centre has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification with immediate effect for three years or until further orders.
The 18-member panel includes Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Pallavi Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Priyadarshan and Ricky Kej.
CBFC chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati will head the new board.
Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange are the only members retained from the previous board.
The previous board, constituted in August 2017 for three years, continued beyond 2020 until successors were appointed.
- Who
- The Union government and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting appointed an 18-member CBFC panel led by Shashi Shekhar Vempati.
- What
- The Central Board of Film Certification was reconstituted with members from cinema, television, music, writing and theatre.
- When
- The reconstitution was notified on September 16 and took effect immediately; the term is three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Where
- The reconstitution applies to India’s Central Board of Film Certification; reports were datelined New Delhi.
- Why
- The move followed the previous board’s prolonged continuation after its 2017 term ended. An Information and Broadcasting Ministry official said several former members were no longer active.
Government Rationale and Supporters
Reported Concerns and Criticism
Need for reconstitution
Government Rationale and Supporters
The reconstitution was overdue because the previous board’s formal three-year term ended in 2020, and a ministry official said several members were no longer active.
Reported Concerns and Criticism
The previous board continued beyond 2020 under provisions allowing members to remain until successors were appointed, prompting reports about the prolonged delay.
Composition and affiliations
Government Rationale and Supporters
The government appointed people from several fields, including acting, filmmaking, music, writing, television and theatre.
Reported Concerns and Criticism
Reports highlighted political or ideological links involving some members, including Roopali Ganguly’s BJP membership, Hans Raj Hans’s BJP role and Ramesh Patange’s RSS association.
Board functioning
Government Rationale and Supporters
The new panel is intended to oversee film certification, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 require the board to meet at least once every quarter.
Reported Concerns and Criticism
Reports noted that the board had held its first meeting in six years on August 29, while another report linked the reconstitution to recent films receiving multiple cuts before certification.
- Board
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- Panel size
- 18 members
- Chairperson
- Shashi Shekhar Vempati
- Term
- Three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier
- Legal basis
- Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, read with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024
- Retained members
- Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange
- Previous board
- Last reconstituted in August 2017 for a three-year term
Sources
Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Rupali Ganguly In 18-Member Board As Govt Reconstitutes CBFC
Centre reconstitutes CBFC: Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi among 18 members
Centre reconstitutes CBFC; Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi among 18 members
Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi among new members of film certification board
CBFC Undergoes Overhaul: Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Among 18 Others
Centre reconstitutes CBFC panel; Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi among members
New Delhi: Preity Zinta In Centre’s Reconstituted CBFC
