A political controversy has erupted over the censorship delay of actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay's highly anticipated film, 'Jana Nayagan', with the Madras High Court stepping in to issue a directive. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of pressuring the censor board to stall the process, a charge vehemently denied by the BJP.
Political Accusations Fly Over Certification Delay
Senior DMK leader TKS Elangovan launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging intentional delays in granting the censor certificate for 'Jana Nayagan'. He claimed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) normally completes its review within two to three days, but external pressure was causing an unjustified hold-up. "The BJP is delaying the release of the movie Jana Nayagan with censorship objections. Actor Vijay has gone to court against this delay," Elangovan told ANI.
In a swift rebuttal, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned the allegations and targeted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. She invoked the Congress party's record during the Emergency and stated that the DMK and Congress lacked the moral authority to criticise the CBFC, which she described as an independent body. "Tamil Nadu CM has no moral responsibility to talk about incidents like the central sensor board because it is an independent body," Soundararajan asserted during Pongal celebrations.
Court Intervention and Producer's Dilemma
The legal battle intensified when the makers of 'Jana Nayagan', led by Vijay's political party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), approached the Madras High Court. The court, on Friday, directed the CBFC to issue a U/A 16+ certification for the film. This order came after the film's theatrical release was postponed indefinitely.
Indra Dhanraj, joint coordinator for the TVK's state legal wing, confirmed the court's decision but noted the possibility of an appeal. "The writ petition has been allowed by the MHC. If the movie is not screened on time, it will be a significant loss... The lawyers informed that 27 scenes have been cut. If CBFC goes for an appeal, we will face them in court," Dhanraj told the media.
Producer Venkat Narayana provided a detailed account in a video message, clarifying that the film was initially cleared after incorporating suggested cuts. However, just days before the planned release, the board referred the film to a revising committee based on an anonymous complaint. "With the time running out and without knowing the complainant, we approached the High Court. The court directed that the certificate be issued, but the CBFC immediately challenged the decision. The order to issue the certification has been stayed," Narayana explained, adding that the matter remains subjudice.
What's Next for 'Jana Nayagan'?
Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions, 'Jana Nayagan' is notably dubbed as Thalapathy Vijay's final film before his full-fledged political plunge. The ongoing tussle between political parties, coupled with the legal back-and-forth, has cast uncertainty over its release date. The core issue now hinges on the CBFC's next move—whether it will comply with the High Court's directive or pursue a legal appeal, further prolonging the wait for millions of Vijay's fans.
The episode highlights the often-tense intersection of cinema, politics, and censorship in India, with a high-profile star's film becoming the latest flashpoint.
