Madras HC Refers Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ CBFC Certification Dispute for Fresh Hearing
Court directs single judge to re-examine censorship issue, ensuring fair hearing for CBFC
Madras, Jan 27 : Vijay’s eagerly awaited film, Jana Nayagan, has hit a legal roadblock as the Madras High Court directed a fresh hearing on its certification dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The move comes just as fans were gearing up for the superstar’s final film before his entry into politics.
On January 27, a division bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, set aside a previous single-judge order that had directed the CBFC to grant a U/A certificate to Jana Nayagan. The bench sent the matter back, citing lapses in procedure and a breach of natural justice. The court emphasized that the CBFC must be given a fair chance to defend its actions.
KVN Productions, the film’s producer, can now amend its petition to specifically challenge the CBFC Chairperson’s decision to refer the movie for review.
Background of the dispute
The controversy began after a complaint claimed certain scenes in Jana Nayagan could hurt religious sentiments and portrayed the armed forces unfavorably. Although the examining committee had initially recommended certification with minor cuts, one member filed an objection, prompting the CBFC Chairperson to refer the film to the Revising Committee.
The production house expressed frustration, saying, “We were told the film would get a U/A certificate after minor edits, but suddenly, it was sent for a full review.” A single judge had initially sided with the producers, directing immediate certification, but the division bench stayed this order, noting procedural lapses and undue urgency created by the producers.
Next steps
The single judge has been instructed to re-hear the matter, giving the CBFC an opportunity to present its case and allowing the producers to frame a refined legal challenge. The final certification of Jana Nayagan will now hinge on this renewed hearing, keeping audiences and fans on tenterhooks as the film awaits its release.
