CBFC to decide certification of Vijay film Jana Nayagan after producers withdraw plea in Madras High Court

Producers of movie Jana Nayagan, starring Vijay, have withdrawn their petition before the Madras High Court challenging the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision to refer the film to a revising committee [KVN Productions Vs Central Board for Film Certification].

Justice PT Asha heard the case briefly and permitted the withdrawal of the petition.

This would mean that the revising committee of the CBFC would now examine the movie and decide whether to grant it an adult certificate (A certificate), unrestricted certificate (U) or under adult supervision certificate (U/A certificate).

Earlier, a Division Bench of the High Court had set aside a single-judge order that had directed the CBFC to immediately grant censor clearance to the film and remitted the matter for fresh consideration.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan held that the single-judge erred in delving into the merits of the complaint relating to the film’s content at the interim stage.

The Division Bench allowed the CBFC’s appeal, set aside the single-judge order and sent back the case to the single-judge for reconsideration.

The matter came up before the single-judge today when the producers chose to withdraw the plea.

Jana Nayagan, touted as Vijay’s last film before his full-time political entry, was scheduled for release on January 9, coinciding with the Pongal festival.

The producer, KVN Productions, approached the High Court alleging delay on the part of the CBFC in issuing the final censor certificate despite compliance with the cuts suggested by the examining committee.

The controversy arose after the film was referred to a revising committee based on a complaint alleging improper portrayal of defence forces and potential hurt to religious sentiments. It later emerged that the complaint was made by a member of the examining committee itself.

The makers of the film told the Court that they applied for censor certification on December 18, 2025.

Following a personal hearing, the examining committee, by a communication dated December 22, 2025, recommended the grant of certification under the ‘UA 16+’ category, citing depictions of violence, fight sequences, gory visuals, and brief references to religious sentiments as the basis for the age restriction.

The committee directed certain excisions and modifications. The producers stated that these were fully complied with and a revised version of the film was resubmitted on December 24, 2025.

The modifications were verified on December 29, 2025, after which the producers were informed that the film would be granted ‘UA 16+’ certification.

Despite this, the producers received an email dated January 5, stating that the film was being referred to a revising committee under Rule 24 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules on the basis of an alleged complaint relating to religious sentiments and the portrayal of armed forces.

The producers then approached the High Court.

On January 9, a single-judge of the High Court had initially ordered the CBFC to promptly clear the film's release, in line with the recommendations of an examining committee of the Board.

However, hours later, a Division Bench of the High Court stayed the single-judge ruling after the matter was urgently mentioned by the CBFC.

The Supreme Court refused to interfere with the same.

The Division Bench of the High Court then passed a final order on January 27 setting aside the single-judge order and remanded the matter to the single-judge for reconsideration.