The legal battle surrounding the censorship of actor-politician Vijay's highly anticipated film, Jana Nayagan, has now reached the doors of the Supreme Court of India. The movie's producer, KVN Productions LLP, filed an appeal on Monday, January 12, 2026, challenging an interim order from the Madras High Court that has effectively stalled the film's certification process.
From Single Bench Directive to Division Bench Stay
The controversy took a significant turn on January 9, 2026. Earlier that day, Justice PT Asha of the Madras High Court had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately grant a censor certificate to the film. The judge set aside the CBFC chairperson's decision to refer the matter to a revising committee, stating that once the board had decided to grant the certificate, the chairperson lacked the power to send it for review.
However, in a swift reversal, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, stayed this single judge's order later the same day. This stay was granted on an appeal filed by the CBFC, represented by Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The Division Bench noted that the CBFC was not granted sufficient opportunity to file its reply to the producer's original petition, which was filed on January 6.
A Political Backdrop and a Stalled Release
The timing of this legal imbroglio is critical. Jana Nayagan is widely publicized as Vijay's final film before his full-fledged plunge into politics, following the recent launch of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The film, noted for its political overtones, was slated for a coveted Pongal release on January 9. The last-minute certification hurdle has left its theatrical fate in complete limbo, disappointing millions of fans.
The core of the dispute lies in a January 6 letter from the CBFC to the producer, which informed them that the film was being referred to a revising committee. Justice Asha's order had set aside this letter, a move contested by the CBFC in its appeal. The Division Bench, after issuing the stay, ordered notice to the film's producer and posted the matter for further hearing to January 21, 2026.
The Road Ahead in the Supreme Court
By moving the Supreme Court, KVN Productions is seeking to overturn the High Court's interim stay and clear the path for the film's certification and eventual release. The apex court's intervention is now the next crucial step in this high-stakes drama that sits at the intersection of cinema, certification norms, and politics.
The case highlights the often-tense procedural dynamics between film producers and the censor board, especially for projects with perceived political content. The outcome will not only determine the release date of one of Tamil cinema's most talked-about films but could also set a precedent for how similar conflicts are handled in the future.
