Vijay's Jana Nayagan Faces Another Release Delay
The release of Vijay's highly anticipated film Jana Nayagan has been delayed once again. This latest setback comes as the Madras High Court reserves its order on an appeal filed by the Central Board of Film Certification.
Court Proceedings Extend Uncertainty
A division bench of the Madras High Court, led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, heard detailed arguments on Tuesday, January 20. However, the court did not pronounce a verdict, choosing instead to reserve its order for a later date.
The CBFC is challenging a single judge order that directed the board to grant a U/A 16+ certificate to the film. This legal battle has now stretched for more than two weeks since the film's makers first approached the court.
From Pongal Release to Legal Limbo
Jana Nayagan was originally scheduled to hit theaters on January 9, coinciding with the Pongal festival. The makers had initiated promotions and advance bookings, hopeful that certification issues would be resolved in time.
Their plans were disrupted when the CBFC's regional officer informed them on January 5 that the film would be referred to a revising committee. This came despite a five-member examining committee reportedly recommending a U/A 16+ certificate after suggesting some edits.
The makers quickly resubmitted the film with fresh edits, but the last-minute referral forced them to approach the Madras High Court for relief.
Legal Journey So Far
Justice PT Asha heard the case on January 6 and 7, reserving her order with indications that a verdict might come on January 9. With no clarity, the makers officially postponed the release without announcing a new date.
On January 9, Justice Asha directed the CBFC to immediately grant the U/A 16+ certificate. However, the certification board swiftly appealed to a division bench, which stayed the single judge's order and scheduled further hearing for January 21.
The film's makers even approached the Supreme Court, but received no relief there either. The apex court refused to entertain the plea and asked the High Court to decide the matter on January 20.
What This Means for the Film
Jana Nayagan marks Vijay's final film before his full-fledged political entry, making it one of the most anticipated Indian movies of the year. The ongoing certification battle has created significant uncertainty around its release.
Fans who had been eagerly awaiting the Pongal release are now left wondering when they might finally see their favorite star on screen. The film's producers face mounting pressure as promotional investments and audience expectations continue to build.
With the High Court reserving its order, the wait continues for all parties involved. The entertainment industry watches closely as this high-profile case unfolds, potentially setting precedents for future film certification disputes.
