A Division Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday set aside its earlier order in the legal rivalry between the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and KVN Productions over the certification of Jana Nayagan. The bench sent the case back to a single-judge to reconsider its order of granting censor clearance to Vijay-starrer.
Madras HC sets order aside, asks single judge to reconsider
The Divisional Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan maintained that the single judge had erred in considering the merits of a complaint made about the Jana Nayagan`s content. As a result, the Division Bench sent back the case to the single-judge for reconsideration.
“Single-judge ought not to have gone into the merits. The decision of the writ court has to go, the appeal is allowed and the impugned order is set aside. The writ petitioner is given the opportunity to amend the writ petition,” the Division Bench order stated.
The latest order means that the release of the movie will be delayed further, as the makers have not received any relief.
About the Jana Nayagan censor controversy
The Division Bench had stayed the order of the single-judge on January 9, on the ground that the Central government was not allowed enough time to file its response to the plea. Later, on January 15, the Supreme Court rejected a plea filed by the producer against the Division Bench order and the delays in granting the final censor certificate.
Jana Nayagan, which is Vijay’s last film before his switches into full-time political career, was originally scheduled for release on January 9, coinciding with the Pongal festival. The producers approached the High Court claiming delay on the part of the CBFC in issuing the final censor certificate despite compliance with the cuts suggested by the examining committee.
The controversy erupted after the film was referred to a revising committee on a complaint claiming improper portrayal of defence forces and potential hurt to religious sentiments. It was later discovered that the complaint was made by a member of the examining committee itself. The makers of the film informed the Court that they applied for censor certification on December 18, 2025.
After a personal hearing, the Examining Committee, via a communication dated December 22, 2025, recommended the grant of certification under the UA 16+ category, due to depictions of violence, fight sequences, gory visuals, and brief references to religious sentiments.
The Committee allegedly ordered certain excisions and modifications, which the producers claim were fully complied with. A revised version of the film was then resubmitted on December 24, 2025. The modifications were reportedly verified on December 29, 2025, following which the producers were told that the film would be granted UA 16+ certification.
Later on January 5, the producers received an email stating that the film was being referred to a Revising Committee under Rule 24 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules based on an alleged complaint relating to religious sentiments and the depiction of armed forces. Following the email, the producers then approached the High Court.
A single-judge granted relief to the film, but the same was stayed by the Division Bench.
