Supreme Court dismisses Jana Nayagan makers' plea on CBFC clearance; asks Madras HC to decide by January 20

With the legal proceedings still underway, all eyes are now on the outcome of the case, as the court’s decision is expected to determine the fate of the much-anticipated film.

• SC declined to stay Madras HC order on Jana Nayagan's certification
• Madras High Court to decide the film's fate by January 20
• Jana Nayagan stars Vijay and faces delays over CBFC certification issues

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The Supreme Court has declined to entertain a plea filed by the makers of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring actor Vijay, seeking a stay on the Madras High Court order that stalled the film’s certification process.

A bench comprising Justices Deepankar Datta and A.G. Masih asked the Madras High Court to decide the matter by January 20, according to a report by ANI.

The plea before the Supreme Court was filed by the film’s producer, KVN Productions LLP, challenging the Madras High Court division bench’s order that had stayed the single bench’s direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately certify the film.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of KVN Productions, submitted before the Supreme Court that it is a long-established industry practice to announce a film’s release date even before receiving CBFC clearance. He further informed the court that over 5,000 theatres had already been booked for the film’s release.

The Supreme Court has declined to entertain a plea filed by makers of the Tamil film ‘Jana Nayagan’ starring actor Vijay seeking to grant stay on the Madras High Court order that stalled the films’ certification. A bench of Justices Deepankar Datta and A.G. Masih asked the… pic.twitter.com/FYtUvoRFFK

— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026

As reported by Live Law, Justice Deepankar Datta remarked on the speed with which the single bench of the Madras High Court had disposed of the matter within a day. He also pointed out that the CBFC Chairperson’s order dated January 6, which referred the film to the Revising Committee, had not been specifically challenged.

Justice Datta observed that since the division bench of the High Court had already listed the matter for hearing on January 20, there was no need for the Supreme Court to interfere at this stage.

Jana Nayagan, which is being touted as actor Vijay’s final film before his full-time entry into electoral politics, was announced as a Pongal release scheduled for January 9. However, the film ran into trouble after the CBFC Chairperson decided on January 6 to refer it to the Revising Committee.

This decision came despite the Examining Committee of the CBFC’s Chennai Regional Office agreeing to grant the film a U/A 16+ certification, subject to certain edits.

Challenging the CBFC’s move, the producer approached the Madras High Court. In the writ petition filed before the High Court, the producer submitted that after the film was initially presented for certification in December 2025, the CBFC had suggested some changes, which were addressed by the makers.

With the legal proceedings still underway, all eyes are now on the outcome of the case, as the court’s decision is expected to determine the fate of the much-anticipated film.

Also read: Vijay’s ‘Theri’ re-release postponed as ‘Jana Nayagan’ faces censor row

Thalapathy Vijay’s final outing on the big screen is set to be a hard-hitting political drama. The film revolves around a populist leader whose past wounds resurface after he encounters a frightened child. Vijay plays a former cop who is drawn into a deeply personal revenge narrative.

Apart from Vijay, Jana Nayagan also features Bobby Deol in a key role.