Actor and former MP R Sarathkumar came out in strong defence of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on Friday, stating that the delay in certifying actor Vijay's upcoming film 'Jana Nayagan' is not a result of political interference. He urged against the politicization of the censor board's routine procedures.
"CBFC Is Doing Its Job," Says Veteran Actor
Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Sarathkumar emphasized that the CBFC is an independent body merely performing its duty. "The Central Board of Film Certification is doing its job. There is no political involvement in this," he asserted. The veteran actor was addressing the media after inaugurating the 'Thadam Walkathon', an event focused on environmental awareness.
He expressed concern over the growing trend of viewing every issue through a political lens. "Nowadays everything is being politicized. The 'Jana Nayagan' movie is not a political issue," Sarathkumar stated. To underline his point, he revealed that his own film, 'Adangathey', has also been awaiting certification for a considerable period.
Historical Precedents and a Call for Patience
Sarathkumar reminded everyone that this is not an isolated incident in Tamil cinema history. He drew a parallel to the classic film 'Parasakthi', which also went before a revising committee. "The producers agreed to mute dialogues and cut scenes as suggested by the board," he recalled, indicating that such processes are part of the industry's norm.
"The censor board is not a political party; members from the cinema industry will watch the movie and certify," he explained, advocating for trust in the system. His comments aimed to dispel rumours and speculation surrounding the certification delay for the much-anticipated Vijay-starrer.
Political Future and Environmental Focus
On a separate note, Sarathkumar clarified that he will not be contesting in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Showing loyalty to his party, he said, "I will be happier if people who joined BJP with me get seats to contest."
The event he attended, the Thadam Walkathon, was jointly organized by Kovai Makkal Sevai Maiyam and a private university. It centered on promoting a carbon-neutral environment. Kovai Makkal Sevai Maiyam founder and MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, who was also present, highlighted that over 90,000 students from various colleges participated. She suggested simple acts like switching off phones for a few minutes could help reduce carbon emissions.
Sarathkumar's intervention seeks to calm the heated discourse around 'Jana Nayagan', framing the CBFC's actions as standard operational protocol rather than a politically motivated hurdle.
