The Union government informed the Madras High Court on Tuesday that film producers cannot demand expedited censor certificates simply because they have announced a release date for their movie. This submission came during a hearing concerning the upcoming Vijay-starrer, Jana Nayagam.
Government's Stance on Censor Process
Additional Solicitor General A R L Sundaresan, representing the Union government, made this clear before Justice P T Asha. The hearing was for a petition filed by KVN Production LLP, the producer of Jana Nayagam. The producers had sought directions for the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certificate so the film could release theatrically on January 9.
Sundaresan stated that the CBFC had not yet taken a final decision on the certificate. He explained that because a complaint had been received against the film, the board's chairperson was empowered to refer the movie to a revising committee, which was done. "So far, the board did not take a final decision on issuance of a certificate to the film," he told the court.
Timeline of Jana Nayagam's Certification Journey
Senior advocate Satish Parasaran, representing the production company, outlined the sequence of events to the court:
- December 18, 2025: The producer applied for the film's certification.
- December 22: The CBFC's examining committee recommended a "UA 16+" certificate, subject to certain modifications. The board cited a brief portrayal of religious sentiments and frequent fight sequences as reasons for this rating.
- December 24: The producers complied with the modifications and resubmitted the film.
- December 29: The board informed the producer that the "UA 16+" certificate would be granted.
- January 5: In a sudden reversal, the board informed the producer that the film was being referred to a revising committee due to a complaint.
Parasaran argued that "issuance of certification cannot be delayed, and the reopening of the certification cannot be done on a vague, undisclosed complaint."
Court's Directive and Next Steps
After recording the arguments from both sides, Justice Asha directed the Additional Solicitor General to produce a copy of the complaint received by the CBFC. The court then adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, seeking clarity on the nature of the objection that halted the certification process.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between film production schedules and the procedural timelines of the censor board, especially when last-minute complaints arise. The court's decision on Wednesday could set a precedent for how such delays are handled in the future.
