Supreme Court Rejects Producer’s Plea, ‘Jana Nayagan’ Certification Delayed Amid CBFC Dispute
Legal dispute with CBFC keeps Vijay’s last film on hold; Madras High Court Division Bench to hear case on January 20.
Tamil Nadu, Jan 15 : Superstar turned politician Thalapathy Vijay’s eagerly awaited film, Jana Nayagan, faces uncertainty as the Supreme Court has refused to fast track its certification, leaving fans waiting for a release. The decision was announced on January 15, following the producer’s plea for urgent clearance.
KVN Productions LLP, the film’s producer, approached the Supreme Court after encountering obstacles with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). They argued that more than 5,000 theatres were booked and claimed it is standard industry practice to announce a release before certification.
However, the Supreme Court bench, led by Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih, declined to intervene. The judges noted that the Madras High Court Division Bench is already scheduled to hear the matter on January 20. Justice Datta pointed out that the CBFC Chairperson’s January 6 referral to the Revising Committee had never been challenged, and a previous single bench order was disposed of in haste.
The controversy began when the CBFC Examining Committee initially approved the film for U/A 16+, subject to edits. After the producers submitted the revised version, technical glitches delayed the final submission. On January 5, the CBFC Chairperson referred the film to the Revising Committee following a complaint alleging that the film hurt religious sentiments and portrayed the armed forces in a controversial manner.
A single bench of the Madras High Court initially sided with the producers on January 9, ordering the CBFC to certify the film immediately. But the CBFC filed an urgent appeal with the Division Bench, which stayed the single bench order and scheduled the next hearing for January 20. The Division Bench criticized the producers for prematurely announcing a release and seeking a fast-track decision.
With the CBFC revising committee yet to finalize its review, fans may have to adjust their Pongal plans, as the release of Jana Nayagan remains uncertain.
Brief timeline:
CBFC Examining Committee initially approves film with edits.
Producers submit revised version on Dec 24, 2025.
Technical glitches delay final upload; CBFC refers film to Revising Committee on Jan 5.
Single bench of Madras High Court orders certification on Jan 9.
Division Bench stays single bench order; next hearing scheduled for Jan 20.
