The censor certification dispute surrounding the highly anticipated Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring actor-politician Vijay, continues to dominate headlines as the Madras High Court prepares to hear arguments tomorrow at 11:30 AM. The hearing comes amid mounting interest in the movie that has crossed more than one million interests on ticketing platform BookMyShow despite the ongoing legal deadlock.
The film’s planned January 9 theatrical release was postponed after it failed to secure a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The producers of Jana Nayagan moved the Madras High Court after repeated delays by the CBFC, which had initially signalled a U/A certification but then referred the movie to a revising committee following a complaint, prolonging the certification process.
In mid-January, the Supreme Court refused to entertain an appeal by the film’s producers seeking direct clearance, instead sending the matter back to the High Court for adjudication, a setback that further delayed resolution.
Industry voices have now weighed in strongly. Veteran cinematographer PC Sreeram criticised the hold-up as a “shame,” highlighting concerns over political or bureaucratic influence in film certification that has sparked broader debate about freedom of expression in Indian cinema. Likewise, actor Mahendran called the last-minute roadblocks unfair and regressive, voicing support for Vijay and warning such actions might set an undesirable precedent for the industry.
With the hearing scheduled for tomorrow morning before a division bench, fans and trade circles are closely watching developments, uncertain whether the film will soon receive its certification and a revised release date. The outcome could determine not just the fate of Jana Nayagan’s domestic release, but also fuel ongoing debates over censorship procedures and artistic freedom in Tamil cinema.
