The Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling on Thursday concerning the Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan', starring actor-politician Joseph Vijay. The court declined to provide immediate relief to the film's producers regarding certification issues.
Court Directs Producers to Madras High Court
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and A G Masih instructed the makers of 'Jana Nayagan' to approach the Madras High Court directly. The Supreme Court specifically asked the Madras High Court to decide the plea on January 20, when the matter is already scheduled for hearing.
Justice Datta made a notable observation during the proceedings. He remarked that the appeal had been made at what he described as "a blistering pace." The justice emphasized that when a matter is already fixed before a division bench, parties should not challenge that order elsewhere.
Legal Arguments and Producer's Plea
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi represented Vijay and the film's producers in court. Rohatgi presented a passionate argument, stating that his clients had "lost everything" and describing the situation as "complete malafide."
The senior advocate highlighted the urgency of the matter, noting that extensive publicity had already occurred for the film. He argued that audiences would not wait for three months for a resolution. Rohatgi urged the bench to at least direct the High Court to make a decision on the scheduled January 20 hearing date.
The Supreme Court agreed to this specific request, ensuring the Madras High Court would address the certification issue on the appointed date.
Background of the Certification Dispute
'Jana Nayagan' has been widely publicized as Vijay's final film before his full-fledged entry into politics. The movie was originally slated for a Pongal release on January 9, coinciding with the popular South Indian festival.
However, the production encountered significant last-minute obstacles. The Central Board of Film Certification refused to grant the necessary certification for theatrical release. This decision created a major hurdle for the film's scheduled premiere.
Previous Court Proceedings
The legal journey began when a single judge of the Madras High Court directed the CBFC to provide clearance for the movie. This ruling set aside the film board's directive to refer the matter to a review committee.
The judge determined that once the board had decided to grant the certificate, the chairperson lacked the authority to send the matter to a review committee. This initial decision appeared to resolve the certification issue in favor of the producers.
However, on January 9, the Madras High Court stayed the single judge's order. This development prompted the film's producer to approach the Supreme Court seeking relief and resolution of the certification dispute.
The Supreme Court's decision means the matter returns to the Madras High Court for final determination. All parties now await the January 20 hearing that will decide the fate of this highly anticipated film's release.
