New Delhi: The Government of India has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), bringing several prominent names from the film and entertainment industry into the new 18-member board.

The new panel includes actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Rupali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi and Manoj Joshi, along with filmmaker Priyadarshan, Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej and several personalities from literature, theatre and other creative fields.

The new board has been constituted with immediate effect for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Who Are the 18 New Members of CBFC?

The newly constituted CBFC board includes:

1. Vinod Anupam
2. Manoj Joshi
3. Abhishek Jain
4. Ricky Kej
5. Priyadarshan
6. Suniel Shetty
7. Hans Raj Hans
8. Supriya Yarlagadda
9. Yatindra Mishra
10. Rupali Ganguly
11. Preity Zinta
12. Neela Madhab Panda
13. Pankaj Tripathi
14. Prosenjit Chatterjee
15. Pallavi Joshi
16. Nishigandha Wad
17. Vaman Kendre
18. Ramesh Patange

The inclusion of personalities from different creative disciplines gives the new board a wider representation of India's entertainment and cultural landscape.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati to Head the CBFC

Shashi Shekhar Vempati is the current Chairperson of the CBFC and will lead the newly constituted board.

The new panel brings together actors, filmmakers, musicians, writers, theatre personalities and other professionals, creating a mix of experience from across the creative industry.

Among the notable names are filmmaker Priyadarshan, composer Ricky Kej, writer Yatindra Mishra, filmmaker Neela Madhab Panda and theatre personality Vaman Kendre.

Major CBFC Reconstitution After Several Years

The reconstitution comes after a long gap and is being seen as an important development for India's film certification system.

The previous formal reconstitution of the CBFC board took place in August 2017. The latest changes come at a time when the Indian entertainment industry is undergoing major transformation, with theatrical cinema, OTT platforms and digital content increasingly overlapping.

The CBFC has also been discussing issues related to film certification and the functioning of Revising Committees.

What Does the CBFC Actually Do?

The Central Board of Film Certification is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Its primary responsibility is to certify films for public exhibition in India. Films intended for theatrical release have to obtain certification before they can be publicly screened.

The current certification categories include:

1. U – Unrestricted Public Exhibition
2. UA 7+ – Suitable for audiences aged 7 and above with parental guidance
3. UA 13+ – Suitable for audiences aged 13 and above with parental guidance
4. UA 16+ – Suitable for audiences aged 16 and above with parental guidance
5. A – Restricted to adults
6. S – Restricted to a specific class or profession

CBFC Is More Than Just a 'Censor Board'

The CBFC is popularly referred to as the “Censor Board”, although its official name is the Central Board of Film Certification.

Its role is not limited to asking filmmakers to remove scenes or dialogues. The board also determines the appropriate certification category for a film before its public exhibition.

The certification process takes several factors into consideration, including issues related to public order, decency and morality, national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, relations with foreign countries, defamation and contempt of court.

Film Certification Rules Were Updated in 2024

The CBFC currently operates under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, which replaced the earlier certification rules from 1983.

The updated framework introduced several changes aimed at making the certification process more streamlined and technology-driven.

One of the key changes was the introduction of age-based markers under the UA category, including UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+.

These classifications are intended to give parents and viewers a clearer understanding of the suitability of a film for different age groups.

Several Big Names From Bollywood Join the Board

The presence of major entertainment personalities is one of the biggest talking points surrounding the new CBFC board.

Actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty have been included alongside Rupali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi, Manoj Joshi and Prosenjit Chatterjee.

The board also includes people with expertise beyond acting, including filmmaker Priyadarshan, composer Ricky Kej, writer Yatindra Mishra and filmmaker Neela Madhab Panda.

Five Women Among the 18 Members

The new 18-member board includes five women:

1. Preity Zinta
2. Rupali Ganguly
3. Pallavi Joshi
4. Supriya Yarlagadda
5. Nishigandha Wad

The representation reflects the broader emphasis on bringing diverse voices into the film certification process.

CBFC Reconstitution Comes Amid the OTT Censorship Debate

The CBFC changes come at a time when OTT content regulation and censorship are also becoming major talking points in India.

The recent discussion around OTT censorship has raised questions about whether streaming platforms should continue under the existing regulatory framework or whether they should eventually be brought under a system similar to theatrical film certification.

However, OTT platforms currently do not require CBFC certification in the same way theatrical films do.

OTT services are instead governed by the applicable digital media regulations, including age classification, content descriptors and a grievance redressal mechanism.

Therefore, the reconstitution of the CBFC should not be interpreted as an immediate move towards bringing OTT platforms under the CBFC.

What Challenges Await the New CBFC Board?

The new board takes charge at a time when filmmakers and audiences are increasingly debating creative freedom versus regulation.

Filmmakers have often argued that excessive intervention can restrict storytelling, while regulators and sections of society have raised concerns about content involving violence, obscenity, religious sensitivities and its potential impact on audiences.

The rise of OTT and digital platforms has made this debate even more complicated.

The new board will therefore have to strike a balance between creative expression, social responsibility, audience sensitivity and the legal framework governing film certification.

Key Details at a Glance

CBFC Board: 18 members

Reconstitution: September 2026

Tenure: Three years or until further orders

Chairperson: Shashi Shekhar Vempati

Notable members: Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Rupali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi, Manoj Joshi and Prosenjit Chatterjee

Legal framework: Cinematograph Act, 1952

Current certification rules: Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024

Certification categories: U, UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+, A and S

Bottom Line

The reconstitution of the CBFC marks an important change in India's film certification system, particularly after several years without a major overhaul of the board.

With prominent actors such as Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty joining the panel alongside filmmakers, musicians, writers and theatre personalities, the new board brings together a wide range of creative experience.

At a time when the boundaries between cinema, OTT and digital entertainment are constantly evolving, the biggest challenge for the new CBFC team will be to find the right balance between regulation and creative freedom.