Actor Vijay’s much-anticipated film Jana Nayagan has suffered a significant legal setback after the Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea seeking immediate clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The refusal has added fresh uncertainty to the film’s release, which was originally scheduled for the Pongal festival.
Supreme Court Declines to Intervene
On Thursday, a bench comprising Justices Deepankar Datta and A.G. Masih refused to hear the petition filed in connection with the certification dispute. The plea challenged a stay order passed by a division bench of the Madras High Court that had halted the grant of a censor certificate to Jana Nayagan.
Instead of intervening, the Supreme Court directed the film’s producer, KVN Productions LLP, to raise its concerns before the Madras High Court, where the matter is already under consideration. The top court also noted that the high court should aim to decide the issue within a defined timeline, with the next hearing expected around January 20.
How the Controversy Began
The legal tussle began when the CBFC failed to issue a censor certificate for Jana Nayagan in time for its planned January 9 release. Despite initial indications that certification would be granted, the CBFC later referred the film to a review committee, a move that stalled the process and triggered litigation.
KVN Productions approached the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the CBFC to issue the certificate without further delay. A single judge, Justice P.T. Asha, ruled in the producer’s favour, stating that once the CBFC had decided to certify the film, its chairperson had no authority to send it to a review committee. The judge ordered the CBFC to immediately clear the film.
Division Bench Stay Changes the Course
However, the relief proved short-lived. Acting on an appeal filed by the CBFC, a division bench of the Madras High Court stayed the single judge’s order. The bench also restrained the CBFC from issuing the censor certificate until the matter is fully heard.
This stay effectively put the release of Jana Nayagan on hold, despite the film being fully ready for theatrical release. The division bench’s order came just hours after the single judge’s directive, dramatically changing the situation within a single day.
Supreme Court’s Stand and Next Steps
KVN Productions then moved the Supreme Court, hoping for an urgent intervention that would allow the film to be released. The apex court’s refusal to entertain the plea has now sent the matter back to the Madras High Court, making it clear that the dispute must be resolved there.
The Supreme Court’s decision is being seen as a procedural setback rather than a verdict on the merits of the case. Still, it delays any immediate resolution and leaves the film’s release timeline uncertain.
Political Context Adds to the Spotlight
The controversy has drawn added attention because Jana Nayagan is widely projected as Vijay’s final film before he transitions fully into politics. The actor recently launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and the film was expected to be a major cultural moment ahead of his political journey.
Given Vijay’s massive fan following and his growing political profile, the certification dispute has sparked widespread discussion across the film industry and beyond.
What Lies Ahead for Jana Nayagan
With the Madras High Court set to hear the matter again soon, all eyes are now on its decision. If the stay is lifted and the CBFC is directed to issue certification, the film could still see a delayed theatrical release. Until then, the fate of Jana Nayagan remains in limbo.
For now, the legal battle underscores how certification disputes can have far-reaching consequences, especially for high-profile films tied closely to public sentiment and political narratives.