Supreme Court Declines Immediate Relief for Vijay's Jana Nayagan
The Supreme Court of India refused to entertain a plea from the producers of Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan on Thursday. The court directed the makers to approach a division bench of the Madras High Court for relief instead.
Film Faces Censor Certificate Hurdles
Jana Nayagan, touted as superstar Vijay's final film before he begins a full-fledged political career, faced unexpected delays just days before its scheduled January 9 release. The postponement occurred because the film failed to secure the necessary censor certification from the Central Board of Film Certification.
The Supreme Court specifically asked the producers to wait for the January 20 hearing scheduled before the Madras High Court division bench. This decision came after the court heard arguments from both sides regarding the censor certificate issue.
CBFC Process Creates Complications
The makers initially submitted Jana Nayagan to the CBFC in December, hoping to secure certification before their planned release date. An examining committee of five members watched the film on December 19 and recommended 27 cuts. Following implementation of these cuts, the committee recommended granting the film a U/A certificate.
However, complications arose when one committee member later wrote to CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi, claiming their objections had not been properly addressed. In response, Joshi decided to refer the film to a revising committee in January.
Legal Battles Escalate
When producers did not receive the certificate even after implementing all 27 cuts, they filed a petition with the Madras High Court challenging the CBFC's decision to withhold certification. The High Court reserved its order on January 7, prompting producers to announce the release delay on their social media handles.
On January 9, the Madras High Court delivered its decision, directing the CBFC to issue the U/A certificate for Jana Nayagan. Justice PT Asha stated that after examining materials, it appeared clear the complainant's grievance was "an afterthought." The court further noted that the chairperson's exercise of power was "without jurisdiction" since they had already decided to grant the certificate.
Appeal Creates Further Delay
The CBFC appealed against this decision in the High Court, where a division bench stayed the prior order. The bench scheduled the matter to be heard after the Pongal holidays, creating additional uncertainty about the film's release timeline.
This legal back-and-forth has left Jana Nayagan in limbo, with producers now awaiting the January 20 hearing in Madras High Court for potential resolution. The Supreme Court's refusal to intervene directly means the film's fate remains tied to the ongoing legal process in Chennai.
