In a major setback for fans and the Tamil film industry, the release of superstar Thalapathy Vijay's highly anticipated film Jana Nayagan has been postponed indefinitely. The Madras High Court has stayed the film's release until the next hearing scheduled for January 21, 2026. This legal hurdle arrives at a critical juncture, as the film is widely speculated to be Vijay's final cinematic project before he formally launches his political career.
Producer Breaks Silence on CBFC Controversy
Amid growing fan disappointment, KVN Productions founder Venkat K. Narayana issued a detailed video statement to clarify the events leading to the delay. Addressing the audience directly, Narayana expressed gratitude for their patience and love. He outlined the certification timeline, revealing that the film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on December 18, 2025.
The Examining Committee viewed the film and, on December 22, 2025, communicated that a U/A 16+ certificate would be granted subject to minor changes. The production house promptly incorporated the suggested alterations and re-submitted the film. "We believed we were finally ready to share our work with you," Narayana stated. However, the formal certificate was not issued despite repeated follow-ups by the team.
Legal Hurdles and Last-Minute Complaint
The situation escalated just days before the planned worldwide release on January 5, 2026. The makers were informed that the film had been referred to the CBFC's Revising Committee based on a complaint from an unidentified party. With time running out, the production approached the Madras High Court for relief.
Following hearings on January 6 and 7, 2026, the court initially directed the CBFC to issue the U/A 16+ certificate. However, the CBFC immediately challenged this directive. The court then granted an interim stay on its own order to issue the certification, effectively halting the film's release.
Apology to Stakeholders and Faith in Judiciary
Venkat K. Narayana extended a sincere apology to audiences, distributors, exhibitors, and all stakeholders impacted by the delay. He described the phase as emotionally taxing for the entire team that had invested years of hard work into the project. "We made every possible effort to bring this film to audiences as planned, but these developments were beyond our control," he explained.
Striking an emotional chord, the producer emphasized that Thalapathy Vijay deserves a fitting farewell for his decades of contribution to cinema and the immense love from his fans. Narayana concluded by reaffirming his team's faith in the judicial process, expressing hope that the film would reach audiences at the earliest possible date.
A Pattern of CBFC Scrutiny in Tamil Cinema
Notably, Jana Nayagan is not the only Tamil film to face certification challenges recently. The Sivakarthikeyan and Sreeleela starrer Parasakthi also underwent a rigorous CBFC process, reportedly requiring over 20 cuts before finally being cleared for release. This indicates a trend of heightened scrutiny for major Tamil releases by the certifying body.
