In a major disappointment for fans across the globe, the highly anticipated release of Thalapathy Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan' has been officially postponed. The movie, which was scheduled to hit screens worldwide on January 9, faced an unexpected delay due to a pending censor certification issue currently before the Madras High Court.
The Official Announcement and Reason for Delay
The production house behind the film, KVN Productions, made the official announcement on social media platforms on Wednesday evening. They stated that the release was being pushed back "due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control." As of now, the makers have not announced a new release date for the film, leaving millions of fans in suspense.
The delay comes as a particular shock given the massive scale of the planned release. Reports indicate that 'Jana Nayagan' was expected to be screened on approximately 5,000 screens worldwide, with fans gearing up for grand celebrations.
Madras High Court Censor Case: The Core Issue
The root cause of the postponement lies in a legal hurdle concerning the film's certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). A petition was filed against the CBFC for withholding the censor certificate for 'Jana Nayagan'.
On Wednesday, the Madras High Court heard the arguments from both sides and subsequently reserved its order. The court clarified that its verdict in this matter will be announced at 10:30 AM on January 9 itself—the film's original release day.
The complication arose when one dissenting member of the CBFC's examining committee raised objections and sent a complaint to the CBFC chairman. This happened despite the other four committee members recommending a U/A 16+ certificate for the film. Since the objection was not resolved, the matter was escalated to the revising committee, ultimately causing a delay in obtaining the necessary clearance in time for the January 9 release.
Emotional Outpouring from Fans and Film Industry
The sudden news triggered a wave of emotional reactions online from both fans and fellow actors, who expressed their solidarity with Vijay and the film's team.
Actor Harish Kalyan, a self-proclaimed Vijay fan, tweeted about his disappointment, stating, "As a Vijay sir fan and a cinema lover Jananayagan’s delay hurts badly. But the celebrations are only postponed."
Many fans shared heartfelt messages. One fan wrote, "Heartbroken... You don’t need a date.. you are the opening. Whenever that date is.. Pongal only starts then." Another supporter emphasized resilience, saying, "A delay can slow the date, never the spirit. The message, the conviction, and the power stay strong."
Support also poured in from within the film industry. Actor Shaam shared a sketch of Vijay with the caption, "Seen this before. Trust the process. This is just the beginning. THE NAME IS VIJAY 'Always'." Actor Nandaa highlighted the collective spirit, tweeting, "A film is not about one person. These obstacles will only further increase the love, influence, and strength that the people place in Vijay."
Anchor Aswath summed up the mixed feelings, noting, "jananayagan actually gives the real thalapathy padam release vibes now! But the whole censor thing happening is disheartening and feels unfair !... With @actorvijay na we stand always."
As the film industry and fans alike hold their breath, all eyes are now on the Madras High Court's verdict at 10:30 AM on January 9, which will determine the next steps for the release of 'Jana Nayagan'. The unwavering support from Vijay's massive fanbase suggests that whenever the new date is announced, the celebrations will be monumental.
