Madras HC clears Vijay’s Jana Nayagan for release after slamming CBFC delay

The Madras High Court on January 9 directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a U/A certificate to actor-politician Vijay’s much-awaited film Jana Nayagan, ending days of uncertainty that forced the makers to postpone its planned January 9 release.

Justice PT Asha came down sharply on the CBFC’s handling of the matter, ruling that the objections raised at the eleventh hour had no legal basis. “After examining the materials, it is crystal clear that the complainant’s grievance appears to be an afterthought,” the court said, warning that entertaining such complaints would create a “dangerous trend” in film certification.

The court also held that the CBFC chairperson had acted without jurisdiction in sending the film for a fresh review after the examining committee had already cleared it for a U/A certificate, subject to cuts. “The power to refer the film for review stood abdicated once the committee conveyed its decision,” Justice Asha observed.

CBFC moves to challenge ruling

Within hours of the verdict, the Additional Solicitor General, appearing for the CBFC, made an urgent mention before the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court seeking a hearing on a writ appeal against Justice Asha’s order. The Chief Justice indicated that the plea would be considered and could be taken up later on Friday or on Monday.

Despite the legal pushback, the ruling has given fresh hope to the makers of Jana Nayagan, which is widely seen as Vijay’s final film before he makes a full-fledged entry into politics with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

What triggered the standoff

The film was submitted to the CBFC on December 18 and screened by a five-member examining committee on December 19. The panel recommended a U/A certificate, subject to 27 cuts. The production house KVN Productions said all the changes were duly carried out and the revised version was resubmitted.

However, the CBFC stalled the certification after one member of the committee complained to the chairperson that their objections had not been adequately addressed, claiming the film hurt religious sentiments. On that basis, the chairperson referred the film to a revising committee, triggering the legal battle.

KVN Productions challenged the move in court, arguing that four of the five examining committee members had approved the film after the cuts, and that the producers were never informed about the identity of the dissenting member or the nature of the complaint.

Justice Asha had earlier directed the CBFC to produce the alleged “complaint”, which became a key factor in the court’s final ruling.

₹500-crore bet on Pongal weekend

The stakes are enormous. The producers told the court they had invested nearly ₹500 crore in Jana Nayagan and were counting on a Pongal weekend release — one of the most lucrative windows in the Tamil film calendar.

With the High Court now ordering the CBFC to issue the certificate, the film is legally cleared for release. However, the board’s move to challenge the ruling means the final word on when Jana Nayagan will hit theatres is still awaited.