Who Are the New Faces of India's Film Certification Board? Meet the Latest Members!

The Indian government has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for the first time in over six years, introducing a diverse group of members including actors, filmmakers, and musicians. This new 18-member panel, led by Shashi Shekhar Vempati, is set to meet quarterly as mandated by the new rules. Notable figures such as Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, and Grammy winner Ricky Kej are among the new appointees. The board's last update was in 2017, and this reconstitution aims to bring fresh perspectives to film certification in India. Read on to learn more about the new members and their roles.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 17, 2026, 12:12 IST

Revamped Central Board of Film Certification Announced

New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Indian government announced a new composition for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), marking the first update in over six years since the previous panel's term expired. The newly formed 18-member board features notable personalities such as actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Pallavi Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Grammy-winning artist Ricky Kej, and Odia filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda, among others. This reconstitution follows the CBFC's first meeting in six years, which took place on August 29.

According to the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, the board is mandated to convene at least once every quarter. The new board, led by chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati, will serve for three years or until further notice, whichever comes first. Other members include filmmaker Priyadarshan, film critic Vinod Anupam, actor Manoj Joshi, filmmaker Abhishek Jain, singer and former MP Hans Raj Hans, producer Supriya Yarlagadda, poet and writer Yatindra Mishra, actor Roopali Ganguly, and actor Nishigandha Wad.

The only two members retained from the previous board are theatre director Waman Kendre and writer Ramesh Patange, who is also an RSS pracharak. The last reconstitution of the CBFC occurred on August 11, 2017, for a three-year term that extended beyond its original timeline due to provisions allowing members to remain until their successors were appointed.