Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi among 18 on new censor board panel

Actors Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi and Rupali Ganguly have been named among the new members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) panel.

In Short

• New censor board includes actors Manoj Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee among others
• Filmmaker Priyadarshan and musician Ricky Kej have also been appointed to the panel
• The fresh panel has been announced under Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952

Actors Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, and Pankaj Tripathi are among 18 members appointed to the newly reconstituted Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) panel for a three-year term.

The reconstituted 18-member board features prominent film industry figures, including actors Manoj Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi, and Rupali Ganguly, alongside filmmaker Priyadarshan and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej. Other appointees on the new panel include Vinod Anupam, Abhishek Jain, Hansraj Hans, Supriya Yarlagadda, Yatindra Mishra, Neela Madhab Panda, Nishigandha Wad, Waman Kendre, and Ramesh Patange.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the fresh panel under Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, read with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. Taking effect immediately, the revamped composition arrives at a time when film classification frequently intersects with creative and public debate.

An official confirmed that the reconstitution had been pending, as several terms from the previous board — last reconstituted in 2017 with 12 members — had lapsed. While the composition of the panel has changed, the statutory duties and regulatory framework governing the censor board remain unchanged.

The prolonged struggle surrounding Satluj — the Diljit Dosanjh-led film, previously titled Punjab 95 — remains one of the most stark illustrations of modern certification hurdles in India. Originally submitted to the censor board in 2022, the project languished in regulatory limbo for nearly three years as filmmakers faced demands for as many as 127 modifications.

Although the uncut feature briefly surfaced on the streaming platform ZEE5 in July under its revised title, Indian subscribers lost access within 48 hours when the film was abruptly pulled down. The entire episode underscores how classification disputes and extended clearance delays can alter a project's trajectory long after production wraps.

Several other recent productions have encountered comparable regulatory friction. Actor Akshay Kumar's comedy, Welcome To The Jungle secured a UA 16+ classification only after implementing 18 requested edits, while contentious certification clearance for Jana Nayagan triggered significant delays alongside formal legal challenges.

Actor Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace has also not yet been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and remains stalled over its narrative stance on China.

The film, originally announced as Battle Of Galwan, is based on the 2020 military clash between India and China. With diplomatic relations between the two nations seeing recent improvements, the Ministry of Defence reportedly expressed reservations regarding specific content in the film. Reports earlier this year indicated that references to 'China' might be excised entirely to secure official clearance.

While the 18-member panel has been announced, Shashi Shekhar Vempati continues as Chairperson, having been appointed to head the certification body in May 2026.

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