The government has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with 18 members for a three-year term, bringing a new composition to the body at a time when film certification has repeatedly become a flashpoint for filmmakers and audiences.

The restructuring comes at an important time for the film industry. The CBFC has faced scrutiny for certification decisions, cuts and delays around several high-profile films.

The new 18-member board includes actors Manoj Joshi, Sunil Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Prasenjit Chatterjee, filmmaker Priyadarshan and music composer Ricky Cage, among others.

Cage, who comes on board from the music world, said in an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Hardika Gupta that he was “extremely honored” by the appointment and saw it as a responsibility.

‘I was pleasantly surprised’

Recalling his reaction to the news, Ricky Cage said, “So, first of all, I’m very honored to be part of the CBFC board. My first reaction was that I was very pleasantly surprised and completely honored to be part of the board, especially since the rest of the board members are people I’ve admired and I’ve been holding this responsibility for a very long time.”

On bringing a different perspective to the CBFC

Cage, a musician and multi-Grammy Award winner, said his experience with music gives him a different way of looking at cinema. He believes his background allows him to evaluate films by rhythm, pacing and emotional nuance.

“And I always believe that cinema is 50% visual and 50% sound. So as a composer, I experience films through rhythm, pacing, emotional insight and atmospheric storytelling,” he said.

He added that not being a director or producer could offer him an “unbiased, unbiased perspective” when evaluating films.

“So not being a director or a producer really gives me an unbiased, unbiased vantage point because I don’t bring industry animosity or internal bias into the screening room,” Cage said.

He also points to his international experience, saying it has helped him understand how Indian storytelling connects with audiences across cultures.

“And as a multi-Grammy Award winner having worked internationally in many, diverse cultures, I understand how Indian storytelling communicates with a global audience. I, at least I believe I bring a modern international sensibility that evaluates content based on artistic merit and global benchmarks and not old tropes,” he added.

CBFC on criticism and film cuts

The CBFC has faced criticism in recent months over certification decisions and cuts to films such as Spider-Man: A Brand New Day And passion. One of the most prominent recent examples of the challenges surrounding certification is the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer. SutlejFirst title Punjab 95.

The film spent nearly three years stuck in the certification process after it was submitted to the CBFC in 2022. Its makers had alleged that the board had demanded 127 cuts.

When the film finally appeared on ZEE5 in July under the new title SutlejIt was released uncut. However, within 48 hours, it was removed from the platform in India.

Cage said his own relationship with cinema goes beyond his work as a musician. He described himself as a “motivated student” and “absolute fanatic” of the medium.

“So, for me, I believe that I am not just a viewer of cinema, not just a composer who composes music for cinema, but I am also an ardent student and a complete fanatic of the medium,” he said.

Cage said he watches at least three movies a month, including both single screens and multiplexes, to stick with the theater experience.

“So I personally catch at least three films a month, many times more, but at least three films a month in single screens and multiplexes, and that keeps me grounded in the authentic theatrical experience,” he said.

He also mentioned his reputation for extensive knowledge of cinema.

“And of course, many people call me the Wikipedia of films. This is because of my deep knowledge of global film movements, directors, film history, and this knowledge ensures that I look at censorship through the lens of artistic respect, and that’s first and foremost,” he said.

‘I care deeply about the impact on young minds’

Cage said one of his priorities on the board will be to ensure that age-based classifications are properly implemented.

“Now, of course, as you rightly mentioned there are age-based classifications and my priority, at least my personal priority on the board, would be to make sure that these classifications are properly applied so that parents are empowered to make informed choices and hopefully, you know, we minimize the need to actually edit or cut content for mature audiences,” he said.

Cage also shed light on his work with children and his relationships with international organizations. She said her work as a children’s composer, as well as her role as a UNICEF celebrity endorser and UN Goodwill Ambassador, made her particularly aware of the impact of content on young audiences.

“Furthermore, I would like to say that because I actively produce music for children and I serve as a well-known supporter of UNICEF and a UN Goodwill Ambassador with a global role, I care very deeply about the impact on young minds,” he said.

Also, Cage drew a distinction between protecting children and restricting material intended for adults.

“And however, I accept that protecting children does not mean sanitizing cinema for adults,” he concluded.