Tamil Nadu, Jan 12 : Fans of Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay were eagerly anticipating a Pongal treat, but the release of his latest film, Jana Nayagan, has unexpectedly turned into a courtroom drama. What was supposed to be a festive farewell before Vijay steps into politics has now become a legal tug-of-war.
Producer Moves Supreme Court
The controversy escalated when KVN Productions LLP, the producer of Jana Nayagan, approached the Supreme Court on Monday. The petition challenges a decision by a division bench of the Madras High Court that stayed a previous single bench order, which had directed the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) to clear the film immediately.
The producers are pushing for a release that was originally scheduled for January 9, marking Vijay’s final film before focusing on his political party, TVK.
Legal Back and Forth
The trouble began when the CBFC refused certification for Jana Nayagan. On January 9, a single bench of the Madras High Court sided with the producers, instructing the Board to grant clearance.
However, in a swift turn of events, the CBFC appealed to the division bench the same day. The bench stayed the earlier order, scheduling the next hearing for January 20. The division bench reasoned that the single bench had not given the CBFC sufficient time to respond.
Technical Glitches and Revising Committee Referral
Producers told the court that the certification process had been ongoing since December 2025. After initially accepting suggested changes, the revised version was submitted on December 24, and by December 29, the CBFC’s Chennai office had confirmed certification.
However, a technical glitch in the CBFC portal prevented the final upload. Things took a twist on January 5, when the CBFC Chairperson referred the film to the Revising Committee following a complaint about content allegedly hurting religious sentiments and the portrayal of armed forces.
Notably, the complaint came from a member of the Examining Committee, which had already cleared the film. The single bench later slammed this move, calling it unjustified.
What’s Next for ‘Jana Nayagan’
The division bench hearing is scheduled for January 20, leaving the film’s release uncertain. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court petition keeps fans on edge, eagerly awaiting news on Vijay’s much-anticipated Pongal release.