Vijay's Final Film Before Politics Faces Another Legal Hurdle
The much-anticipated release of actor-politician Vijay's film Jana Nayagan has been stalled once again as the Madras High Court has reopened the certification battle, sending the matter back to square one in a significant legal development.
Court Sets Aside Earlier Certification Order
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan on Tuesday set aside a single judge's order that had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a U/A certificate to Jana Nayagan. The court ruled that principles of natural justice had not been followed in the earlier proceedings.
The Bench observed that the CBFC had not been given adequate opportunity to defend its decision before the single judge passed the order favoring the film's producers. The court has now directed that the case be heard afresh by the single judge after granting the CBFC sufficient time to file its response.
Serious Allegations Prompt Legal Scrutiny
The Division Bench noted that the allegations raised in the complaint against the film were "of serious nature", which had prompted the CBFC chairperson to refer the movie to a revising committee. Given the gravity of these objections, the court stated that the single judge should have afforded the board an opportunity to present its case properly.
The Bench further held that the earlier order had delved into the merits of the dispute even though there had been no specific prayer challenging the chairperson's decision to send the film for review. The producers have now been asked to amend their plea and properly contest that order.
Background of the Certification Dispute
The legal tussle has significantly delayed the release of Jana Nayagan, which is billed as Vijay's final film before he transitions to full-time politics. The producers, KVN Productions LLP, approached the High Court after the CBFC withheld certification despite earlier communication that a U/A certificate would be granted subject to certain cuts.
According to the production house, all 27 excisions and modifications recommended by the examining committee had been carried out. The producers argued that the subsequent referral to a revising committee—based on a complaint from one of the examining committee members—amounted to an unlawful reopening of a process that had effectively concluded.
CBFC's Position and Contentious Issues
The CBFC, represented by Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan, maintained that the complaint flagged concerns that certain scenes could hurt religious sentiments and portray the armed forces improperly. These concerns justified the referral for further scrutiny according to the board's legal representatives.
Earlier this month, a single judge had ruled in favor of the producers and ordered immediate certification, describing the CBFC chairperson's action as beyond jurisdiction. However, that order was promptly stayed by the Division Bench, which criticized the "urgency" created around the scheduled release date and emphasized that the board must be given a fair chance to respond.
Uncertain Future for Film Release
With Tuesday's decision, the certification dispute returns to the single judge for a fresh hearing, leaving Jana Nayagan without certification and its release timeline completely uncertain. The Division Bench specifically noted that "the single bench ought not to have gone into the merits of the decision without granting sufficient opportunity to the CBFC," effectively reopening the entire certification process.
The film's producer has been given liberty to amend its Writ petition, and the case will now proceed with both parties having proper opportunity to present their arguments. This development represents another chapter in what has become a protracted legal battle over the certification of what is expected to be one of Tamil cinema's most significant releases of the year.
