Jana Nayagan's hearing at Madras High Court delayed over CBFC certificate 2 days ahead of release

During the brief proceedings, Justice P.T. Asha directed the CBFC to submit a copy of the complaint which allegedly claims that the film “hurts religious sentiments.”

• Jana Nayagan's censor certificate hearing delayed at Madras High Court
• CBFC asked to submit complaint alleging film hurts religious sentiments
• Film cleared by BBFC for UK release with a 15 rating

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Thalapathy Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan has been facing a series of hurdles, with the latest setback being a delay in the hearing on the plea seeking a censor certificate on Wednesday.

According to a report by Mathrubhumi, a hearing related to the release of Jana Nayagan was scheduled to take place at the Madras High Court on Wednesday, January 7. However, the matter was deferred as Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan was engaged in another case before the Chief Justice’s Bench, leading to the postponement of the hearing.

The plea, filed by the makers of the Vijay-starrer—who is also the chief of TVK—seeks a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue the censor certificate, allowing the film to release as planned on January 9, coinciding with the Pongal festival.

During the brief proceedings, Justice P.T. Asha directed the CBFC to submit a copy of the complaint which allegedly claims that the film “hurts religious sentiments.”

The filmmakers informed the court that the movie, directed by H Vinoth and starring Vijay alongside Pooja Hegde and Mamitha Baiju, had already been submitted to the censor board in December. They added that the film was revised based on the initial suggestions made by the CBFC, which had recommended a U/A certificate.

The production team further argued that the complaint was filed without anyone having actually viewed the film, raising questions about how the Revising Committee could justify withholding or delaying the certification. They urged the court to examine the relevant files and issue the censor certificate at the earliest so that the film could be released as scheduled in three languages.

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Amid the delay in India, Jana Nayagan has received its first official censor clearance overseas. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has approved the film for release in the United Kingdom with a 15 rating, permitting viewers aged 15 and above to watch it in cinemas. The film is currently slated for a theatrical release in India and worldwide on Friday.

As listed on the BBFC website, Jana Nayagan has been assigned a 15 age rating, which means “no one younger than 15 may see 15-rated content in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15-rated video.”