The producers of Vijay’s final film Jana Nayagan have approached the Madras High Court after the Central Board of Film Certification referred the film to a Revising Committee despite earlier clearance.
The makers claim the last-minute move threatens the film’s scheduled release and could cause massive financial losses.
The producers of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s upcoming Tamil film Jana Nayagan have approached the Madras High Court, challenging the decision of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to reconsider the certification of the film by referring it to a Revising Committee.
Jana Nayagan is being projected as Vijay’s final film before he fully enters politics through the political party founded by him, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The film is scheduled to be released in theatres on Friday, January 9. However, the CBFC has not yet issued the final censor certificate required for the film’s release.
Earlier, the CBFC’s Examining Committee had recommended that the film be certified under the ‘UA 16+’ category, subject to certain cuts and modifications.
The filmmakers complied with all the directions issued by the Committee. Despite this, the CBFC later decided to refer the film to a Revising Committee after receiving a complaint from an individual regarding the alleged content of the film.
Aggrieved by this development, the producers of the film filed a petition before the Madras High Court seeking directions to the CBFC to issue the final censor certificate. The matter was heard today by Justice PT Asha.
Appearing on behalf of the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan requested time to file a detailed response. Accepting the request, the Court adjourned the hearing to tomorrow.
The producers informed the Court that they had applied for censor certification on December 18, 2025. After a personal hearing, the Examining Committee, through a communication dated December 22, 2025, recommended grant of certification under the ‘UA 16+’ category.
The Committee noted depictions of violence, fight sequences, gory visuals, and brief references to religious sentiments as reasons for imposing the age-based restriction.
The Examining Committee also directed certain excisions and modifications to the film. According to the producers, all these changes were fully complied with, and a revised version of the film was resubmitted on December 24, 2025.
The modified version was verified on December 29, 2025, after which the producers were informed that the film would be granted ‘UA 16+’ certification.
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. The referral was said to be based on a complaint alleging issues related to religious sentiments and the portrayal of armed forces.
The producers have argued before the Court that once the certification process was concluded and all mandated cuts were complied with, the rules do not permit the CBFC to reopen the process based on undisclosed complaints.
They have contended that neither the identity of the complainant nor the contents of the complaint or any supporting material have been shared with them, making the CBFC’s decision arbitrary and contrary to principles of natural justice.
The plea also raises serious questions about how any complaint could arise when the film has not yet been publicly screened or exhibited and has only been viewed by the production team and statutory authorities.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran, appearing for the producers, submitted that nearly Rs 500 crore is riding on the release of the film, which is slated to be released across more than 5,000 screens worldwide. He further pointed out that Jana Nayagan has already received censor clearance in 24 other countries.
The producers have also expressed concern that any further delay in the film’s release could increase the risk of piracy and cause irreparable commercial and reputational damage. Senior Advocate Parasaran appeared along with Advocates Shubang Nair and Vijayan Subramanian.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing.
Case Title:
KVSN Productions LLP Vs CBFC
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