Nila Madhab Panda Joins Reconstituted CBFC
Bhubaneswar: Odisha-born filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda has been appointed as one of the 18 members of the reconstituted Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), with the Government of India notifying the new Board for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The reconstitution was notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on September 16 under Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, read with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
Panda, known for bringing social, environmental and human-interest themes to Indian cinema, is among the prominent personalities from the film and cultural sectors named to the new Board.
The 18-member panel also includes actors Manoj Joshi, Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Roopali Ganguly, filmmaker Priyadarshan and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, among others.
Congratulating Panda on the new responsibility, director and cinematographer Subhransu Das said he had always looked up to the filmmaker’s journey and described him as an inspiration.
“Heartiest congratulations, Bhaina, on taking up this new leadership role at the Central Board of Film Certification. I have always looked up to your journey. You are truly an inspiration to me,” Das said.
Panda has built a distinctive body of work through films that often focus on social and environmental issues. His acclaimed film I Am Kalam (2010), which centred on a young boy’s aspirations and the importance of education, received international recognition and won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. He subsequently directed films including Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid, Kaun Kitney Panee Mein Hai, Kadvi Hawa and Kalira Atita, among others.
His filmmaking has frequently brought issues such as climate change, water scarcity, education, child rights and social inequality into the mainstream cinematic conversation.
Through both feature films and documentaries, Panda has also worked extensively on subjects connected with the environment and sustainable development.
With his appointment to the CBFC, Panda will now be part of the statutory body responsible for certifying films for public exhibition in India.