Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former CEO of Prasar Bharati, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Vembati will hold office for three years, according to a government press release, and is likely to take office on Wednesday itself.
Vempati will succeed lyricist and advertising professional Prasun Joshi, who was recently appointed as the President of Prasar Bharati by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). Joshi, who has been the CBFC president since August 2017, took charge of Prasar Bharati earlier this week after the post remained vacant for nearly five months following the resignation of former president Navneet Kumar Sehgal in December 2025.
“Shri Shashi Shekhar Vembati brings with him extensive experience in the field of media, broadcasting and public communication. His appointment is expected to strengthen the work of the QFC,” the press release issued on Wednesday said.
Vembati’s appointment comes shortly after he stepped down from the Board of Directors of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), where he had served as director since 2024.
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The CBFC operates under the MIB and certifies films for public exhibitions in India under the Cinema Act. The board examines films before their release and issues age-based certificates and other approvals required for theatrical release.
Vembati, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, served as CEO of Prasar Bharati between 2017 and 2022. During his tenure, he oversaw several digital initiatives across Doordarshan and All India Radio. Vembati is also the co-founder of AI4India.org, an initiative focused on democratizing access to AI and promoting inclusive growth through AI in India.
Prior to joining Prasar Bharati, Vempati spent over 15 years at Infosys in technology and product roles.
