The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has a new 18-member panel, bringing together some of the biggest names from Indian cinema, television, music, literature and theatre. The Centre announced the reconstitution of the film certification body on September 16, 2026, with actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty and Prosenjit Chatterjee among the prominent appointments.

The new board will function under CBFC Chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati and has been constituted with immediate effect for three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The development marks the first major reconstitution of the CBFC board since 2017.

The appointment has attracted attention because the new panel includes individuals with varied backgrounds and experience across India's entertainment and cultural landscape. Alongside established film stars, the board features filmmakers, musicians, writers, critics and theatre personalities.

Full List Of New CBFC Members

The newly constituted 18-member CBFC board includes:

• Vinod Anupam

• Manoj Joshi

• Abhishek Jain

• Ricky Kej

• Priyadarshan

• Suniel Shetty

• Hansraj Hans

• Supriya Yarlagadda

• Yatindra Mishra

• Roopali Ganguly

• Preity Zinta

• Nila Madhab Panda

• Pankaj Tripathi

• Prosenjit Chatterjee

• Pallavi Joshi

• Nishigandha Wad

• Waman Kendre

• Ramesh Patange

The official notification confirmed all 18 appointments and stated that the reconstituted board would take effect immediately.

Among the names that have generated the most interest are Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Roopali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi and Prosenjit Chatterjee, all of whom have substantial experience in the Indian entertainment industry.

Preity Zinta Joins The Film Certification Board

Preity Zinta is one of the most recognisable additions to the new CBFC panel. The actor, known for films across Hindi cinema including Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara and Lakshya, brings decades of experience in mainstream Indian cinema.

Her appointment comes at a time when the film industry continues to grapple with questions surrounding certification, age classifications, content cuts and the balance between creative expression and regulatory requirements.

Zinta's long association with the Hindi film industry means that her presence on the board is likely to bring an industry practitioner's perspective to discussions surrounding films submitted for certification.

Pankaj Tripathi Among The New Members

Pankaj Tripathi is another major name on the panel. Over the years, the actor has built a reputation for performances across mainstream films, independent cinema and streaming projects.

His inclusion adds another experienced performer to the board at a time when the boundaries between theatrical cinema, streaming entertainment and changing audience expectations have become increasingly fluid.

Tripathi has appeared in projects spanning multiple genres and formats, giving him considerable exposure to different styles of storytelling and filmmaking.

Suniel Shetty Also Joins The Panel

Veteran actor Suniel Shetty is also part of the newly formed board. Shetty has worked across action films, dramas, comedies and television, while also maintaining a long association with the Indian entertainment industry outside acting.

His appointment adds another veteran industry voice to the certification body.

The presence of experienced actors such as Shetty, Zinta and Tripathi is particularly notable because the CBFC's decisions can directly affect how films reach audiences and how filmmakers present their work in theatres.

Roopali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi And Prosenjit Chatterjee On Board

Television actor Roopali Ganguly is another prominent addition. Known widely for her work in television, Ganguly brings experience from India's hugely influential small-screen industry.

Pallavi Joshi, meanwhile, comes with experience as an actor and filmmaker. Her career has included work across cinema and television, making her another member with experience on both sides of the creative process.

The panel also includes Prosenjit Chatterjee, one of the most prominent names in Bengali cinema. His inclusion expands the board's representation beyond the Hindi film industry and brings the perspective of a performer with a long career in regional cinema.

The diversity of backgrounds is significant because India's film industry is not limited to Bollywood. Films in numerous Indian languages are submitted for certification, making regional representation an important part of the broader conversation around cinema.

Filmmakers, Musicians, Writers And Critics Also Part Of Panel

The new CBFC board is not made up solely of actors.

Filmmaker Priyadarshan, known for work across Hindi and South Indian cinema, has been appointed alongside filmmakers Abhishek Jain and Nila Madhab Panda.

Grammy Award-winning musician Ricky Kej is also part of the panel. His presence brings a music-focused perspective to a board that deals primarily with films and audiovisual content.

Singer and former parliamentarian Hansraj Hans has also been appointed.

The panel further includes poet and writer Yatindra Mishra, film critic Vinod Anupam, producer Supriya Yarlagadda and theatre personality Waman Kendre.

Writer Ramesh Patange is also among the members.

The composition therefore represents a broader cultural mix, combining performers and creators from several fields rather than relying solely on film actors.

Two Members From The Previous Board Retained

While the majority of the new panel consists of fresh appointments, Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange have been retained from the previous board.

The previous CBFC board was constituted in August 2017 for a three-year term. However, its members continued in office beyond the original tenure until successors were appointed. The 2026 reconstitution therefore marks a substantial change after a long period without a full overhaul of the membership.

The transition also comes after renewed attention around the functioning of the film-certification system, including certification timelines, revising committees and the cuts or modifications sometimes requested before a film receives clearance.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati To Continue As CBFC Chairperson

Shashi Shekhar Vempati will continue to lead the board as its chairperson. He was appointed CBFC chairperson earlier in 2026.

The new 18-member panel will work under his leadership for the newly specified term of three years, unless further orders alter the arrangement.

The chairperson and board members operate within the statutory framework governing film certification in India. The CBFC's central responsibility is to examine films intended for public exhibition and issue the appropriate certification under the applicable law and rules.

Why The New CBFC Panel Matters

The reconstitution comes at a particularly important time for India's rapidly changing entertainment industry.

The nature of film consumption has evolved considerably over the past decade. Audiences now encounter content through theatres, television, digital platforms and other distribution channels, while filmmakers increasingly experiment with subjects and storytelling styles that challenge traditional genre boundaries.

At the same time, certification remains an important step for films intended for theatrical public exhibition.

The CBFC does not simply determine whether a film can be released. Its certification categories also help establish the age suitability of films. Decisions involving cuts, modifications and classifications can consequently have an impact on filmmakers, distributors and audiences.

The appointment of people from different parts of the entertainment and cultural ecosystem could provide the board with a wider range of professional experiences when examining such questions.

A New Chapter For Film Certification

The new CBFC board represents a significant reshaping of the body that oversees film certification in India. With established actors such as Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty joining filmmakers, musicians, writers, critics and theatre professionals, the panel brings together a broad cross-section of India's creative community.

The immediate task for the newly appointed members will be to participate in the certification process while navigating the increasingly complex relationship between creative freedom, audience expectations and regulatory requirements.

For the Indian film industry, the next three years will provide an opportunity to see how the new panel approaches these challenges and whether its diverse composition translates into changes in the way certification-related issues are handled.

For audiences and filmmakers alike, the appointments mark the beginning of a new phase for the Central Board of Film Certification after years under the previous panel.

With input from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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