The much-anticipated Pongal release of superstar Thalapathy Vijay's final cinematic outing, 'Jana Nayagan', has been officially postponed. The delay stems from the film not yet receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), creating a major setback for the team and millions of fans.
Court Intervention and Censor Board Hurdle
According to reports, the Madras High Court has reserved its verdict on the matter until January 9, 2025, which was originally slated as the film's release date. The court has further directed that the film be reviewed by a fresh committee of the CBFC. The production team approached the court after the censor board failed to grant a certificate even a month after the submission. Earlier, on December 19, 2025, the CBFC had suggested certain cuts and asked for specific dialogues to be muted.
Industry Support and Fan Disappointment
Amid the controversy, filmmaker Ajay R Gnanamuthu voiced strong support for the 'Jana Nayagan' team. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, he criticized what he called an "absolute misuse of power." He emphasized that a film involves the hard work and investment of hundreds and pledged unwavering support for Thalapathy Vijay's farewell project. His post ended with a rallying cry in Tamil, promising to celebrate the film grandly whenever it releases.
The immediate aftermath of the court order has been chaotic. All screenings scheduled for the release day have been cancelled, and advance booking options have been pulled from online ticketing portals. However, this action came after ardent fans had already snapped up tickets in a frenzy. Reports indicate that early morning shows—5 am, 6 am, and 7 am slots—were completely sold out in several South Indian cities as well as in Mumbai, showcasing the film's massive pre-release demand.
About 'Jana Nayagan'
Directed by H Vinoth, 'Jana Nayagan' features an ensemble cast including Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Priyamani. The film's significance is magnified as it marks the final screen appearance of Thalapathy Vijay, adding to the sky-high buzz and the current disappointment surrounding the delay. The industry and fans now await the Madras High Court's verdict and subsequent CBFC clearance to finally witness the superstar's swan song.
