Vijay’s Jana Nayagan CBFC Row: MIB reduces certification time to 18 days, 55 films challenged

Jana Nayagan release still delayed

• Vijay's film Jana Nayagan faces delays due to CBFC certification issues
• CBFC now certifies feature films in 18 days, down from the previous 48 days
• Producer of Jana Nayagan appealed to Madras High Court to expedite certification

Did our AI summary help?

Tamil superstar Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, continues to be entangled in the legal controversy. The film has been delayed after the film couldn’t get Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ahead of its scheduled release on January 9.

The average time for a film to be licensed has now been decreased to 18 days, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) told the Lok Sabha.

MIB has also released the data regarding the quantity of films that were challenged before the High Court (HC) or the Revision Committee (RC).

During the ongoing Lok Sabha session, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan responded to a question raised by MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

He claimed that since the Online Certificate System was put in place, the CBFC now takes an average of eighteen days to censor movies. This is less than the 48-day period that is required for film certification. Additionally, the short films will now be censored in three days.

According to him, the censor board currently certifies feature films on an average of 18 days, which is a considerable decrease from the 48 working-day maximum. He credited the Online Certification System's deployment for this improvement. Interestingly, short films can now be certified in as little as three days.

The Cinematograph Act of 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules of 2024 govern how the CBFC does business. Along with the number of films challenged before the RC and HC following the dissolution of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in 2021, the MIB also made public data on the number of films certified annually. The ministry claims that the RC's film review period is within the window of time allowed by Rule 37(7) of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.

Applicants can appeal to RC, which is also utilised as a multi-level grievance redress method.

They clarified, “Cuts or modifications are recommended only if the content violates statutory parameters concerning sovereignty and integrity of India, security, public order, decency, morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to offence.”

The Cinematograph Act allows for an appeal against the board's order before the HC if the filmmakers disagree with the board's ruling.

The ministry stated, “The Government is committed to maintaining a transparent and accountable certification process, while protecting creative freedom and discharging its obligations under the Cinematograph Act.”

Also Read: When Jr NTR refused to do an action sequence with Pooja Bedi: ‘I can't fight with a woman...’

According to KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan's producer, he sent the movie to the CBFC on December 18. The reviewing committee notified him on December 22 that the movie will receive a UA 16+ certification after 14 cuts and changes. The producer submits a request to speed up the process at the Madras High Court after not hearing back from the censor board. He is told that the film has been sent to the committee for revision.