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Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan': Madras High Court Sets Aside Single-Judge Order to Issue Censor Certificate
A division bench remitted the matter to the single judge for fresh consideration, holding that 'principles of natural justice' had not been followed.
Legal obstacles continue to mount for Vijay's Jana Nayagan. The film was delayed from its original release date of January 9, 2026 and, going by current developments, is unlikely to be released this month.
On Tuesday (January 27), the Madras High Court set aside a single judge’s order directing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a U/A certificate to Jana Nayagan. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan remitted the matter to the single judge for fresh consideration, holding that 'principles of natural justice' had not been followed, Bar and Bench reported.
On January 9, a single-judge bench of the Madras High Court ruled in favour of the producers and directed the CBFC to certify the film. However, the order was stayed the same day by the division bench following an urgent mention, with the court also criticising the producers for creating undue urgency. The division bench reserved orders on January 20 after hearing detailed arguments from both sides.
In its latest hearing, the division bench ruled that the single judge ought to have allowed the CBFC to respond before passing orders. It directed the court to hear the matter afresh, after allowing the Board to file its response. The court also allowed the film's producer, KVN Productions, to amend its writ petition, specifically to challenge the CBFC Chairperson’s decision to send the film to the revising committee.
Jana Nayagan, positioned as Vijay’s final film before entering politics full-time, became embroiled in a legal battle after the CBFC delayed issuing its certification. KVN Productions approached the Madras High Court claiming that the Board had indicated the film would receive a U/A certificate subject to certain modifications, which were duly carried out. Yet, the certificate was not issued in time as the film was referred to the revising committee.
The CBFC informed the court that the decision to refer the film to a revising committee was taken after a complaint from a single member of the examining committee, alleging that objections had been ignored and that certain scenes could hurt religious sentiments and misrepresent the armed forces.
The makers had earlier moved the Supreme Court for urgent intervention in the matter. The apex court, however, asked the Jana Nayagan makers to go to the Madras High Court after refusing a fast-tracked hearing.
Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan (titled Jana Neta in Hindi) is one of the most anticipated films of the year, considering it marks Vijay's final screen appearance. The film, a charged, big-canvas political thriller, also features Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju and Priyamani.