The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea filed by the producer of Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan over the delays in getting censor clearance for the release of the film, which was earlier scheduled to be released on January 9. .A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih told the filmmakers to pursue their case before the Madras High Court itself, where an appeal filed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is pending."We are not inclined to interfere...The division bench (at Madras High Court) may make an endeavour to decide the appeal on 20th," the Court said. .The film is touted to be Vijay's final film amid his recent foray into politics through Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party he founded. It was scheduled for a January 9 release.An examining committee of the CBFC had earlier recommended that it be given a U/A 16 censor certificate if the filmmakers agreed to cut some scenes.The filmmakers made the suggested cuts. However, a complaint was made later by one of the CBFC examining committee's members, alleging that the film contained scenes that could hurt religious sentiments. The complainant also claimed that the film contains depictions of the defence forces which must be reviewed by a defence expert.On the basis of this, the CBFC decided to refer the matter to a revising committee after the filmmakers were initially told that their film would be granted U/A 16+ certification.This prompted the film's producer to approach the Madras High Court urgently for relief, on concerns that the film's release would now be delayed with the CBFC's referral of the matter to a revision committee.On January 9, a single-judge Bench of the Madras 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 producers then approached the top court against the Division Bench order..Representing the film's producer, KVN Productions, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi today told the top court,"I had fixed 9th (for film's release). I had 5,000 theatres in India. I was told I will get a certificate with 10 cuts...completely mala fide what has happened. This is a perishable commodity.".The Court, however, opined that the matter can be decided by the Madras High Court itself."This is a blistering pace Mr. Rohatgi. When the matter is fixed before the Division Bench on 20th...You don’t challenge that order, which is quashed. 6th order of the Chairman of the CBFC, was it under challenge in the writ? Go back to the Division Bench," the Bench remarked, before dismissing the plea. .Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.
