Just days before its scheduled release, Jana Nayagan faces uncertainty after the Madras High Court stayed a single-judge order directing the CBFC to grant censor clearance. The stay follows an urgent appeal citing lack of opportunity for the Centre to respond.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
CHENNAI: In a crucial development just days before its scheduled release, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court has stayed a single-judge order that had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately grant a U/A 16+ certificate to the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan.
The stay was granted on an urgent appeal filed by the CBFC, citing procedural concerns and lack of opportunity for the Central Government to place its response before the court.
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan, passed the interim stay within hours of the earlier ruling by Justice PT Asha. The Bench observed that the Central Government had not been afforded sufficient time to respond to the filmmakers’ petition before the single-judge order was passed.
As a result, the direction to issue censor clearance has been temporarily put on hold.
Single Judge Ruled
Earlier on the same day, Justice PT Asha, sitting as a single judge, had allowed the writ petition filed by the producers of Jana Nayagan, KSVN Productions. The court had directed the CBFC to grant a U/A 16+ certificate in accordance with the recommendation of the Examining Committee.
Justice Asha held that the CBFC’s decision to refer the film to a Revising Committee was arbitrary, flawed, and without jurisdiction, especially after the certification process had effectively concluded.
The court noted that:
- The Examining Committee had already recommended U/A 16+ certification
- The CBFC had accepted that recommendation
- All suggested cuts and modifications were complied with by the filmmakers
Once these steps were completed, the court held, the CBFC could not reopen the process based on a subsequent complaint.
Timeline of the Certification Dispute
According to the producers, the application for certification was submitted on December 18, 2025.
- December 22, 2025: The Examining Committee recommended U/A 16+ certification, citing violence, fight scenes, gory visuals, and brief references to religious sentiments.
- December 24, 2025: A revised version of the film, incorporating all directed cuts, was resubmitted.
- December 29, 2025: The CBFC verified compliance and reportedly informed the producers that certification would be granted.
However, on January 5, 2026, the producers received an email stating that the film was being referred to a Revising Committee under Rule 24 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, citing complaints about religious sentiments and portrayal of defence forces.
A key aspect of the controversy is that the complaint triggering the Revising Committee referral was allegedly made by a member of the Examining Committee itself. The producers argued that this undermined the integrity of the certification process and violated established rules.
They contended that the rules do not permit reopening a concluded certification process based on undisclosed or post-approval complaints, particularly after compliance with all mandated excisions.
Jana Nayagan is scheduled for theatrical release on January 9 and has drawn significant attention as it is widely believed to be actor Vijay’s final film before his full-time entry into politics.
Appearance:
The producers: Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran and advocates Vijayan Subramanian and Shubang Nair
The CBFC: Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan
Case Title:
CBFC Vs KSVN Productions
Click Here to Read Our Reports on Jana Nayagan