After controversy dogged the Central Board Of Film Certification post the arrest of CEO Rakesh Kumar on alleged bribery charges mid-August, we hear that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is doing away with the CEO post altogether. While a senior officer from the Mumbai Region of the Censor Board tells us that the new Chairperson will be announced soon, buzz is that actor Suresh Oberoi is the frontrunner for the post. Other contenders reportedly include Nitish Bharadwaj (best known as Krishna from B R Chopra's Mahabharat), Gajendra Singh Chauhan (Yudishthir of the same series), filmmaker Ashoke Pandit and Bengali actor George Baker.

When contacted, Oberoi said he hasn't heard anything from the authorities so far. “It would only be fair to comment after there's an official announcement or communication,“ he maintained. Leela Samson, whose term as the Chairperson expired on March 31 this year, has been asked to continue till the new head is appointed.

Raju Vaidya was appointed as the new Regional Officer for the Western Region in October and the anti-drinking warnings in movies have been reportedly introduced at his behest. A new board will also be appointed in the coming weeks, say sources.“The tenure of the 23 members has expired. While some members may be re-appointed, most of the board members will be new appointees,“ the source concluded.