Shashi Shekhar Vempati Appointed Cbfc Chairperson Succeeds Prasoon Joshi After Years
Shashi Shekhar Vempati appointed CBFC Chairperson, succeeds Prasoon Joshi after 9 years
The Government of India has appointed Shashi Shekhar Vempati as Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), succeeding Prasoon Joshi after nearly nine years. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the appointment on May 6, 2026, with Vempati holding office for three years from the date he assumes charge. Joshi stepped down following his elevation as Chairman of Prasar Bharati. During his tenure since August 2017, Joshi oversaw institutional modernizat
Shashi Shekhar Vempati has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) by the Government of India, succeeding Prasoon Joshi after nearly nine years in the role.
The appointment was confirmed through a notification issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on May 6, 2026. Vempati will hold office for a period of three years from the date he assumes charge.
The leadership transition comes after Prasoon Joshi stepped down from the CBFC role following his elevation as Chairman of Prasar Bharati, India's public broadcasting organization. Joshi had served as CBFC Chairperson since August 2017, overseeing a period of institutional modernization.
Under Joshi's tenure, the board shifted towards a structured certification system focused on age-appropriate classification rather than extensive censorship. His leadership prioritized digitization of the certification process, improving efficiency and reducing delays for filmmakers. The move brought greater transparency and accessibility to the system, while Joshi maintained open dialogue with industry stakeholders to balance creative freedom with regulatory considerations.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati brings experience in media, broadcasting, and public communication to the role. His background is expected to shape the CBFC's functioning as the board continues its focus on institutional strengthening and process efficiency in the coming years.
