Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty: Meet 18 members of the newly formed CBFC [Full List]Instagram

The Centre has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an 18-member panel featuring prominent names from the Indian entertainment industry, including actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the new board on September 16. The appointments have taken effect immediately and will remain valid for 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. The new panel includes actors, filmmakers, musicians, writers, producers and theatre personalities.

Full list of new CBFC members

The 18-member panel 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.

CBFC Chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati will continue to head the certification body.

Bollywood stars join the panel

The inclusion of several well-known actors has drawn attention to the new board. Preity Zinta, known for films including Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Veer-Zaara, joins the panel alongside Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty.

Other prominent actors on the board include Manoj Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi and Roopali Ganguly. Filmmaker Priyadarshan and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej are also among the members.

The panel also brings in representatives from regional cinema, music, literature and theatre, including Hansraj Hans, Supriya Yarlagadda, Yatindra Mishra, Neela Madhab Panda and Nishigandha Wad.

Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty: Meet 18 members of the newly formed CBFC [Full List]

First major reconstitution since 2017

The latest move marks the first major reconstitution of the CBFC since 2017. The previous board had continued beyond its initial three-year tenure because a successor panel had not been appointed.

The new board will oversee film certification at a time when issues surrounding film cuts, certification categories and release delays continue to attract attention from filmmakers and the wider film industry.

With the new 18-member panel taking charge immediately, its members will now participate in the certification process for films seeking public exhibition in India during their three-year term.