The Government of India has appointed Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Vempati replaces lyricist and advertising professional Prasoon Joshi, who recently took over as Chairman of Prasar Bharati after serving as CBFC chief since 2017.
The appointment places a seasoned media and technology administrator at the helm of India’s statutory film certification body at a time when debates around censorship, OTT regulation, creative freedom, and digital content oversight continue to intensify.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati is best known for his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati between 2017 and 2022, during which he oversaw the modernisation and digital expansion of Doordarshan and All India Radio. An IIT Bombay alumnus, Vempati has worked across technology, broadcasting, governance, and digital media sectors. Before joining Prasar Bharati, he had a long association with Infosys and later founded digital media ventures focused on technology-led communication.
During his time in public broadcasting, he was associated with several initiatives linked to digital transformation, audience measurement, public communication systems, and media policy. He also served in leadership roles connected with Rajya Sabha TV, BARC and national technology initiatives. Earlier this year, Vempati was also named a recipient of the Padma Shri for his contributions to public service, broadcasting and technology-driven governance.
The Central Board of Film Certification functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and is responsible for certifying films for public exhibition in India under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Officials said Vempati’s background in media administration and public communication is expected to strengthen the functioning of the CBFC amid evolving challenges in India’s entertainment and content ecosystem
Leave a Reply