The Government of India has appointed Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for a term of three years. Vempati, a former Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati and a recipient of the Padma Shri, succeeds Prasoon Joshi in this statutory position. This appointment marks a significant transition in the leadership of the board as it navigates the implementation of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati: A Technocrat at the Helm
Shashi Shekhar Vempati is an alumnus of IIT Bombay and a seasoned technocrat with deep expertise in digital media and technology. Before this appointment, he served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Prasar Bharati from 2017 to 2022. He was the first non-bureaucrat to lead India’s public broadcaster, where he initiated major reforms to modernize the operations of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Vempati’s professional background includes 15 years at Infosys, where he focused on product strategy and digital innovation. He also played a key role in the digital communication strategies for national initiatives. In January 2026, he was honored with the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to public policy and media technology. His leadership at the CBFC is expected to leverage his technological background to further digitize the film certification process.
Role and Functions of the Central Board of Film Certification
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It was established on January 15, 1951, and is governed by the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Headquartered in Mumbai, the CBFC is tasked with regulating the public exhibition of films in India. A film can only be screened for the public after it has been certified by the board.
The board is composed of a Chairperson and other members, usually between 12 and 25, all of whom are appointed by the Central Government. These members are drawn from various fields such as education, arts, law, and social sciences. To manage the certification process effectively across the country, the CBFC operates through nine regional offices located in cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and New Delhi.
The CBFC issues four main types of certificates to categorize films based on their content and suitability for different audiences:
| Certificate Category | Description |
|---|---|
| U | Unrestricted public exhibition suitable for all age groups. |
| U/A | Unrestricted public exhibition, but parental guidance is advised for children under 12. |
| A | Restricted to adult audiences aged 18 and above. |
| S | Restricted to specialized audiences, such as doctors or scientists. |
The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023: A New Era for Indian Cinema
The appointment of the new Chairperson coincides with the implementation of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023. This legislative update significantly modernized the regulatory framework for films in India. One of the key highlights is the introduction of a more detailed age-based classification for the UA (Unrestricted with Caution) category.
Under this new system, films can be classified as UA 7+, UA 13+, or UA 16+, providing specific guidance to parents about the suitability of content for children. Another industry-friendly move is the granting of perpetual validity to certificates issued by the CBFC. Previously, these certificates were valid for only ten years, requiring filmmakers to go through a renewal process.
The 2023 Act also addresses the critical issue of piracy by criminalizing the unauthorized recording and distribution of films. Violators can face imprisonment ranging from three months to three years, along with substantial fines. Furthermore, the Act has strengthened the independence of the CBFC by removing the revisional powers of the Central Government over the board’s certification decisions, thereby streamlining the process and reducing administrative delays.
Prasoon Joshi’s Tenure and Transition
Shashi Shekhar Vempati succeeds Prasoon Joshi, a celebrated lyricist and poet who chaired the board from August 2017 to May 2026. Joshi is credited with shifting the board’s focus from mere censorship to a more objective certification framework based on age suitability. His tenure was marked by efforts to digitize the certification workflow, which improved transparency and reduced the time required for film approvals.
Joshi has now transitioned to the role of Chairman of Prasar Bharati, the parent body of Doordarshan and All India Radio. This leadership change creates an interesting exchange of expertise, as Vempati brings his technical background to the CBFC, while Joshi moves to head the national broadcaster where Vempati previously served as CEO.
Key Takeaways
- Shashi Shekhar Vempati has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for a period of three years.
- Vempati previously served as the CEO of Prasar Bharati and was honored with the Padma Shri in January 2026.
- He succeeds Prasoon Joshi, who has moved on to become the Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
- The CBFC is a statutory body established on January 15, 1951, and is headquartered in Mumbai.
- The board operates under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which was significantly updated by the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- Key features of the 2023 Amendment include perpetual validity of film certificates and a granular age-based classification system for the UA category.
