No Jana Nayagan release for now; Madras High Court single-judge asked to reconsider censor dispute

A Division Bench of Madras High Court on Tuesday allowed an appeal filed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) against a direction of a single-judge to immediately grant censor clearance to Vijay-starrer film Jana Nayagan [CBFC Vs KVN Productions]..A Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan held that the single-judge had erred in delving into the merits of a complaint made about the film's content. Hence, the Division Bench sent back the case to the single-judge for reconsideration."Single-judge ought not to have gone into merits. Decision of the writ court has to go, the appeal is allowed and the impugned order is set aside. The writ petitioner is given opportunity to amend the writ petition," the Division Bench order stated. This would mean that the release of the movie would be delayed further..On January 9, the Division Bench had stayed the order of the single-judge on the ground that the Central government was not allowed time to file its response to the plea.Subsequently, on January 15, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea filed by the producer against the Division Bench order and the delays in the grant of the final 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 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..The single-judge granted relief but the same was stayed by the Division Bench earlier. Today, the Division Bench set aside the single-judge order. .CBFC was represented by Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan..Producer KVN Productions was represented by Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran with Advocates Vijayan Subramanian and Shubang Nair. .[Read Judgment].[Live Coverage].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.