I’m Excited About Cinema’s New Phase: New CBFC Member Vidya Balan

After Pahlaj Nihalini’s sacking from the post of CBFC chief, Vidya Balan joins the censor board. 

Photo: Yogen Shah

National Award winning actress Vidya Balan was appointed as part of the reconstituted Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC on Friday), which is now to be chaired by writer Prasoon Joshi. The actress looks forward to a new phase where cinema celebrates present-day sensibilities and realities.

I am very happy to join the CBFC and I hope to fulfil my responsibilities as a member to the best of my abilities. I look forward to this new and exciting phase where our cinema will be allowed to reflect the sensibilities, realities and the complexities of the society we are living in today.

Vidya Balan, Actor

The CBFC has been reconstituted for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, a PIB statement said on Friday.

Vidya is joined by Gautami Tadimalla, Narendra Kohli, Naresh Chandra Lal, Neil Herbert Nongkynrih, Vivek Agnihotri, Waman Kendre, T.S. Nagabharana, Ramesh Patange, Vani Tripati Tikoo, Jeevitha Rajasekhar and Mihir Bhuta.

The development came on the same day as Pahlaj Nihalani was sacked from the post of the censor board chief and replaced by Joshi. Agnihotri told IANS that he was "tempted" to join the censor board after Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani told him of Joshi's appointment.

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