Odisha Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda Appointed to Reconstituted CBFC Board

Odisha Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda Appointed to Reconstituted CBFC Board

Padma Shri filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda has been appointed as a member of the reconstituted Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), giving Odisha representation on the national body responsible for certifying films for public exhibition in India. The CBFC functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has reconstituted the 18-member board under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, with members appointed for three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Panda is the only Odia name on the new panel. Born in Sonpur district, he has built a career around socially relevant cinema, with films addressing issues including climate change, water scarcity, sanitation, child rights and rural challenges.

His film I Am Kalam received a National Award and international recognition, while Kadvi Hawa received a National Film Award special mention. His Odia film Kalira Atita won the National Film Award for Best Odia Feature Film. Panda was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016.

The reconstituted board also includes actors Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Manoj Joshi, Roopali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi and Nishigandha Wad. Filmmakers Priyadarshan and Abhishek Jain, composer Ricky Kej, producer Supriya Yarlagadda, singer Hansraj Hans, writer Yatindra Mishra and theatre personality Waman Kendre are among the other members.

CBFC Chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati welcomed the newly appointed members following the announcement. The CBFC is responsible for certifying films intended for public exhibition and operates under the Cinematograph Act and related certification rules.

Panda’s appointment brings an experienced Odia filmmaker into a national film-certification body, adding representation from Odisha’s film industry to the reconstituted board.