The Government of India has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), bringing 18 new members onto the film certification body. The new panel includes several prominent names from Indian cinema, television, music and other creative fields, including Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and filmmaker Priyadarshan. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the notification on September 16, 2026, stating that the reconstituted board will take effect immediately for three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta And Pankaj Tripathi Join CBFC
The new CBFC panel brings together several well-known names from the Indian entertainment industry. Actors Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta and Pankaj Tripathi have been appointed alongside Prosenjit Chatterjee, Manoj Joshi, Roopali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi and Nishigandha Wad.
Filmmaker Priyadarshan, music composer Ricky Kej, filmmakers Abhishek Jain and Neela Madhab Panda, producer Supriya Yarlagadda, poet and writer Yatindra Mishra and theatre director Waman Kendre are also part of the panel. Singer Hansraj Hans, film critic Vinod Anupam and writer Ramesh Patange complete the 18-member list.
Full List Of 18 New CBFC Members
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notification, the reconstituted CBFC comprises Vinod Anupam, Manoj Joshi, Abhishek Jain, Ricky Kej, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty, Hansraj Hans, Supriya Yarlagadda, Yatindra Mishra, Roopali Ganguly, Preity Zinta, Neela Madhab Panda, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi, Nishigandha Wad, Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange.
The board's composition includes representatives from different areas of the entertainment and cultural landscape. Five of the 18 appointed members are women, according to a Times of India report. Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange are also among the members retained from the previous board. The CBFC was last reconstituted in 2017, and several members continued beyond the original term while awaiting a fresh board.
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Shashi Shekhar Vempati Continues As CBFC Chairperson
The latest development changes the composition of the CBFC board but does not announce a new chairperson. Shashi Shekhar Vempati, who was appointed CBFC chairperson in May 2026, continues in the role. The CBFC is responsible for certifying films for public exhibition in India.
Under the Cinematograph Act, the board plays a central role in determining the certification granted to films before their theatrical release. The new panel comes at a time when the CBFC has remained an important part of discussions around film certification and cuts. The reconstitution now brings a fresh group of industry professionals and cultural figures into the board's functioning.
Final Take
The Government of India's reconstitution of the CBFC brings 18 members from across Indian entertainment and cultural fields into the film certification body. With names such as Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Priyadarshan on the panel, the new board will serve a three-year term unless further orders change the arrangement.
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