Madras HC reserves order: Thalapathy Vijay starrer Jana Nayagan's release delayed again

The High Court continued hearing the appeal submitted by the CBFC against the earlier order that instructed the certification body to clear Jana Nayagan, starring Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay.

• Madras HC reserves verdict on CBFC's Jana Nayagan certification appeal
• Jana Nayagan's release remains uncertain amid ongoing legal dispute
• Supreme Court heard producers' appeal after High Court halted certification order

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In the latest development surrounding the release of Jana Nayagan, the Madras High Court on Tuesday, January 20, reserved its verdict on the appeal filed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which has challenged a single judge’s directive to grant a U/A certificate to the Vijay-starrer.

The High Court continued hearing the appeal submitted by the CBFC against the earlier order that instructed the certification body to clear Jana Nayagan, starring Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay. The censor board reiterated its objections to the single judge’s ruling during the proceedings.

Representing the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan argued that the film’s producers had never challenged the CBFC’s communication regarding the decision to refer the film to a revising committee. He further contended that, in the earlier High Court proceedings, the censor board was not afforded adequate time to file its response before the order was passed.

These developments have left the film’s release uncertain, despite earlier judicial directions favouring the makers. The appeal was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, as the certification dispute once again came up for consideration before the High Court.

Jana Nayagan, which marks Vijay’s last film, was originally scheduled to hit theatres on January 9. However, the release was stalled after the CBFC declined to grant certification. The producers subsequently approached the Madras High Court, where a single judge, on January 9, directed the CBFC to issue a censor certificate to the film.

Also read: Jana Nayagan Row: CBFC calls 14 cuts an ‘intermediary step’, raises doubts over Rs 500 crore budget claim

The order was later stayed by a division bench headed by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, after Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta—who appeared via video conferencing—presented the CBFC’s grounds for appeal and argued against the single judge’s directive.

Following the stay, the film’s producers moved the Supreme Court, which heard their appeal in the Jana Nayagan certification dispute on January 15.