The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has officially announced a major shake-up for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In a fresh move to bring diverse expertise to the table, the government has reconstituted the board, appointing 18 new members from the worlds of cinema, television, music, and literature. This new team, appointed under the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and the latest 2024 certification rules, will serve a three-year tenure or continue until further official orders are issued.
The star-studded list of appointees includes some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. Bollywood favorites Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Pallavi Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Roopali Ganguly have been brought on board. They are joined by acclaimed filmmakers like Priyadarshan, Neela Madhab Panda, and Abhishek Jain, alongside noted musician Ricky Kej and singer Hansraj Hans. The board also features a strong creative contingent including writer Manoj Joshi, producer Supriya Yarlagadda, poet Yatindra Mishra, actor Nishigandha Wad, theatre legend Waman Kendre, filmmaker Vinod Anupam, and writer Ramesh Patange.
As the statutory body responsible for the certification of films for public exhibition across India, the CBFC plays a pivotal role in the country’s media landscape. By inducting professionals from such varied backgrounds—ranging from theatre and poetry to mainstream cinema and music—the government aims to ensure a well-rounded approach to film oversight. This new lineup is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the certification process as they begin their term overseeing the content that hits the big screens and streaming platforms in the coming years.