The CBFC has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court in the Jana Nayagan release case, asking that no order be passed without hearing it. The move follows the Madras High Court’s decision to flag concerns over references to the Army and religious sentiments in the film.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has moved the Supreme Court of India by filing a caveat in connection with the release of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring actor Vijay. By filing a caveat, the CBFC has requested the Supreme Court to ensure that no order is passed in the matter without first hearing its side.
A caveat is a legal step taken by a party in the High Courts or the Supreme Court to protect its interest. It ensures that the court does not pass any order that may affect the party without giving it an opportunity to be heard.
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This development comes after the Madras High Court, on January 27, set aside an earlier order passed by a single judge directing the CBFC to grant a censor certificate to the film. The High Court observed that certain scenes and references in the movie related to the Indian Army and religious sentiments require careful examination.
The First Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, held that the single judge, Justice P T Asha, should have given adequate time to the CBFC to file its counter affidavit before passing any directions. The Bench found that the earlier order was passed without properly hearing the censor board.
The appeal before the High Court was filed by the CBFC challenging Justice Asha’s order dated January 9. That order had not only directed the CBFC to grant certification to the film but had also quashed a communication dated January 5 issued by the regional officer of the censor board.
In that communication, it was stated that based on a complaint received from one of the CBFC members, the Chairperson had decided to refer the film to the Revising Committee for further examination.
While allowing the CBFC’s appeal, the High Court granted liberty to the film’s producer, M/s KVN Productions LLP, to amend its plea and approach the single judge again for an early hearing of the matter.
The High Court Bench also noted that the CBFC Chairperson had referred the film to the Revising Committee because certain content in the movie relates to the Army and religious sentiments. According to the court, such content may potentially disturb religious harmony in the country and therefore requires proper consideration before granting certification.
The film Jana Nayagan has attracted significant public attention as it is being described as actor Vijay’s last film before his full-time entry into politics.
Vijay is the founder and leader of the recently formed political party Tamiga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and the film’s release is seen as politically sensitive given his growing political influence.
With the CBFC now approaching the Supreme Court through a caveat, the matter is expected to receive further judicial scrutiny. The final decision on the film’s certification and release will depend on the outcome of the proceedings before the appropriate court and the findings of the Revising Committee.
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