Who Are the 18 Members of Newly-Formed CBFC?

The Government of India has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with immediate effect, appointing 18 members from the fields of cinema, television, music, theatre, literature and other cultural spheres. The new panel includes prominent names such as Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Manoj Joshi, Priyadarshan and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej.

The reconstitution was announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The new board will remain in place for three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. BJP Leader Urges CBFC to Remove ‘Shoorveer’ Song from ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’, Calling It Disrespectful to Maharana Pratap’s Legacy.

Who Are the 18 New CBFC Members?

The newly constituted CBFC has members from different areas of India's entertainment and cultural sectors. The complete list is:

• 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
• Ramesh Patange

The panel brings together actors, filmmakers, musicians, producers, writers and theatre personalities.

Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty Join CBFC

Several prominent Bollywood names have been included in the new CBFC board. Actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty are among the most recognisable members of the panel. The board also includes actors Manoj Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi, Roopali Ganguly and Nishigandha Wad. Filmmaker Priyadarshan, known for work across Hindi and Malayalam cinema, is also part of the newly formed board.

Ricky Kej, Hansraj Hans and Other Cultural Figures on New Board

The new CBFC panel extends beyond actors and filmmakers. Ricky Kej, the Grammy-winning musician and composer, has been appointed as a member. Singer and politician Hansraj Hans, producer Supriya Yarlagadda, writer and poet Yatindra Mishra, theatre personality Waman Kendre, filmmaker Neela Madhab Panda, and Ramesh Patange are also among the 18 members. Directors Abhishek Jain and Neela Madhab Panda are also part of the new panel, adding representation from the filmmaking community. 'Mollywood Times' vs CBFC: Kerala Police Register Case Against Makers of Naslen's Latest Film Over Censor Violations.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati Continues as CBFC Chairperson

The new 18-member board will function under CBFC Chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati. The new members have been appointed for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The reconstitution has been carried out under Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, read with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.

What Does the CBFC Do?

The Central Board of Film Certification is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting responsible for regulating the public exhibition of films in India. Films intended for public exhibition are required to undergo the certification process under the applicable provisions of the Cinematograph Act and certification rules. The board's decisions can determine the certification category granted to a film and, where applicable, whether modifications are required before its public exhibition.

Why the New CBFC Board Matters

The reconstitution brings a new group of members from across India's film and cultural industries into the certification process. The previous CBFC board had been reconstituted in 2017, and its members continued beyond the original term until a new board was constituted. The latest notification therefore marks a formal reconstitution of the board with an 18-member panel. The new members will now participate in the functioning of the film certification body during their prescribed tenure.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2026 07:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).