India Rebuilds Film Certification Board With Conservative-Leaning Appointments
India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been reconstituted with 18 new members, a move that signals a firm commitment to cultural standards in the country's film industry. The announcement, made on September 16, brings together respected figures from cinema, music, and theatre, including Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, and Suniel Shetty.
The new board takes effect immediately and will serve for three years, or until further orders. Shashi Shekhar Vempati continues as chairperson. This is the first full reconstitution of the board since 2017, when the previous panel was formed. Its members had remained in office beyond their initial term because no successor board was appointed, a situation now rectified under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
Why has the CBFC been reconstituted now?
The timing is significant. The certification process has faced growing public scrutiny over film cuts, certification categories, and delays in theatrical releases. Recent cases, including the removal of an eight-second kissing scene from Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the certification delay of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan, have kept the board's decisions in the spotlight.
The reconstitution allows the government to refresh the board's composition while retaining continuity. Two members from the previous panel, Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange, have been kept on, ensuring institutional memory while bringing in new perspectives.
Who are the 18 new CBFC members?
The new board draws from across the creative industries, balancing mainstream cinema with regional film, music, literature, and theatre. The full list of members is as follows:
- Vinod Anupam
- Manoj Joshi
- Abhishek Jain
- Ricky Kej
- Priyadarshan
- Suniel Shetty
- Hansraj Hans
- Supriya Yarlagadda
- Yatindra Mishra
- Rupali Ganguly
- Preity Zinta
- Neela Madhab Panda
- Pankaj Tripathi
- Prosenjit Chatterjee
- Pallavi Joshi
- Nishigandha Wad
- Waman Kendre
- Ramesh Patange
The official government notification confirms all appointments and states the board's mandate under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
What does this mean for film certification in India?
The new board takes charge at a critical juncture. The regulatory framework has evolved under the 2024 rules, and the board's composition reflects an intention to ground certification in experienced, principled judgment. Filmmakers, producers, and audiences will be watching closely as the board addresses ongoing debates around content standards, cuts, and release timelines.
For those who value cultural responsibility in media, this reconstitution is a measured step. It reinforces the principle that certification is not merely a bureaucratic formality but a safeguard for the values that families and communities hold dear.
The reconstitution is therefore expected to remain closely watched by filmmakers, producers and audiences, particularly as debates around certification, cuts and theatrical release timelines continue.
Frequently asked questions about the CBFC reconstitution
When was the previous CBFC board formed?
The previous board was constituted in August 2017 for an initial three-year term. Its members continued beyond 2020 because a successor board had not been appointed until now.
Who remains on the new CBFC board from the previous panel?
Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange are the two members retained from the previous board.
How long will the new CBFC board serve?
The new board will function for three years from its effective date, or until further orders from the government, whichever comes first.