Madras High Court restrained piracy of Jana Nayagan starring Vijay, blocking illegal broadcasts. Court acted on plea by KVN Productions LLP over pre release leak before certification.
The Madras High Court issued an interim order restraining cable operators and internet service providers from illegally broadcasting or enabling access to pirated versions of Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan.
Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed the order in a civil suit filed by KVN Productions LLP, a co-producer of the movie. The production house alleged that the film was leaked online before it received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The interim directions will remain in effect until June 2, after which the matter will be taken up again.
Background: CBFC clearance and earlier litigation
Jana Nayagan was marketed as Vijay’s last film before he entered politics. It was originally scheduled to release on January 9, coinciding with Pongal.
The release, however, was delayed after the film was referred to a revising committee of the CBFC following a complaint alleging improper portrayal of defence forces and scenes that could potentially hurt religious sentiments.
The filmmakers approached the Madras High Court challenging the delay in securing the final censor certificate. On January 9, a single-judge Bench initially granted relief and directed the CBFC to issue a final censor certificate “fortwith.”
Subsequently, a Division Bench stayed the single-judge order within hours, and the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the stay. The matter was later sent back to the single judge for reconsideration.
On February 10, the filmmakers withdrew their plea from the High Court, leaving the revising committee to decide when the film would ultimately be cleared for theatrical release. A final censor certificate has not yet been issued.
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Alleged online leak and the present suit
In the meantime, the film was reportedly leaked online. KVN Productions argued that the pre-release leak poses a serious risk to the film’s commercial prospects, since pirated copies could be widely circulated through cable networks and online platforms, resulting in irreparable financial loss.
KVN Productions said its suit was filed as a “quia timet” action seeking protection against anticipated harm based on a reasonable apprehension of large-scale piracy. The situation, the company added, worsened after the film was allegedly leaked online on April 9, 2026, even before theatrical release.
The producer also submitted that multiple “rogue websites” hosting pirated content do not comply with takedown requests and often create mirror domains to bypass blocking orders. Accordingly, it sought a dynamic injunction requiring intermediaries to block access to infringing platforms.
The production house further told the Court that damages would be inadequate. It argued that piracy particularly a pre-release leak would undermine theatrical revenues and substantially reduce the value of satellite and digital rights.
Court’s interim directions
After accepting the production house’s prima facie case, the Court restrained the defendants including several cable operators and ISPs from copying, recording, reproducing, transmitting, or making the film available in any manner without authorisation. The injunction also covered distribution through mediums such as cable television, internet services, and physical storage devices.
KVN Productions LLP was represented by advocates A M Venkatakrishnan, T Pandiyan, and S Deepak.
Case Title: KVN Productions Vs BSNL
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