Shashi Shekhar Vempati Takes Charge As CBFC Chairperson

The Government on Wednesday appointed Shashi Shekhar Vempati , former CEO of Prasar Bharati , as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) , marking a key leadership change in India’s film certification body.

Vempati succeeds Prasoon Joshi , the noted lyricist and poet, who has been associated with CBFC for over eight years and has now been appointed as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati.

According to official sources, Vempati brings with him extensive experience in public broadcasting and digital media transformation. He previously served as the CEO of Prasar Bharati from 2017 to 2022 , and his tenure focused on strengthening the public broadcaster’s digital outreach and modernisation efforts.

An alumnus of IIT Bombay , Vempati is also an author and co-founder of AI4India Org , an initiative aimed at democratising access to Artificial Intelligence technologies in India. His background reflects a mix of technology, governance, and media experience.

Vempati is of Telugu origin , though he is widely recognised as a national-level media and technology professional rather than being identified through regional affiliation alone.

The CBFC , a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting , is responsible for regulating public exhibition of films in India under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 . Films can only be publicly screened after receiving certification from the Board.

Headquartered in Mumbai, the CBFC operates through nine regional offices across India, including New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Cuttack and Guwahati. These offices are supported by advisory panels comprising members drawn from diverse fields, nominated by the central government for fixed terms.

The appointment is seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory institutions overseeing India’s expanding media and entertainment landscape.