Jana Nayagan censorship row: Madras High Court reserves verdict

A Division Bench of Madras High Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict in the appeal filed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) against a direction of a single-judge to grant censor clearance to Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan [CBFC Vs KVN Productions].

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan heard the case and reserved it for judgment.

On January 9, the Bench had stayed the order of the single judge on the ground that the Central government was not allowed time to file their response to the plea.

Subsequently, on January 15, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea filed by the producer against the delays in grant of censor certificate.

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 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 on 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.

The single-judge granted relief but the same was stayed by the Division Bench.

The matter was heard out by the Division Bench today.

CBFC was represented by Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan.

Producer KVN Productions was represented by Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran