The government appoints Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Multiple outlets report that Vempati, who served as CEO of Prasar Bharati from 2017 to 2022, is named to the CBFC role on Wednesday, May 6. He succeeds Prasoon Joshi, who is reported to have recently been appointed chairman of Prasar Bharati and who previously led the CBFC for more than eight years.
The CBFC is described as a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It regulates public exhibition of films in India under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Films can be exhibited publicly only after they receive certification from the CBFC.
Sources also note that Vempati is an IIT Bombay alumnus and has worked in the public communications sector. One outlet adds that he is an author and a co-founder of AI4India, an organisation focused on improving access to artificial intelligence technology.
