NEW DELHI — In a major leadership reshuffle within India’s media regulatory landscape, Shashi Shekhar Vempati has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Vempati, a Padma Shri awardee and former CEO of Prasar Bharati, succeeds Prasoon Joshi, who recently moved to head Prasar Bharati.
Transition from BARC to CBFC
The appointment follows Vempati’s decision to step down from the board of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), where he had served as a professional director since 2024. While his tenure at the ratings body focused on structural reforms and transparency in audience measurement, his new role at the CBFC shifts his focus toward content regulation and statutory certification.
A Career Built on Innovation and Policy
An alumnus of IIT Bombay, Vempati brings over two decades of experience spanning technology, governance, and media:
-
Infosys (16+ years): Served as a product strategist and digital innovator.
-
NitiCentral (2013): Served as CEO, marking his entry into policy-oriented media.
-
Prasar Bharati CEO: Led the digital transformation of Doordarshan and All India Radio, modernizing India’s public broadcasting infrastructure.
-
Regulatory Reform: In 2020, he chaired the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s committee to review and enhance the transparency of television rating guidelines.
Strategic Importance of the Role
Vempati takes the helm of the CBFC at a pivotal moment for the Indian film industry. The board is currently navigating:
-
Evolving Content Standards: Balancing artistic expression with regulatory norms in an increasingly globalized content market.
-
Digital Integration: Managing the intersection of traditional theatrical certification and the rapid expansion of digital ecosystems.
-
Policy Modernization: Applying a technocratic approach to certification processes to ensure they keep pace with new distribution formats.
Industry Outlook
The government’s choice of a technocrat-administrator signals a continued preference for leaders who can bridge the gap between legacy institutions and modern technological demands. Industry stakeholders are closely watching how Vempati’s background in DeepTech (as co-founder of the DeepTech for Bharat Foundation) and his experience in transparent governance will influence the future of film certification in India.
Vempati is expected to address long-standing debates regarding creative freedom while ensuring that the statutory mandate of the CBFC remains robust in the face of changing audience sensibilities.
