The highly anticipated release of superstar Thalapathy Vijay's swansong film, 'Jana Nayagan', has been plunged into deep uncertainty due to a mounting legal battle over its censor certification. What began as a delay in receiving the necessary clearance has now escalated to the Supreme Court of India, putting the film's release date on indefinite hold.
From Censor Delay to Courtroom Battle
The crisis for 'Jana Nayagan' began when its much-awaited censor certificate failed to arrive on time, effectively pushing the film off its planned release schedule. The production house was forced to approach the Madras High Court on January 6 with an urgent application regarding the lack of certification. During the proceedings, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) informed the court that a complaint had been received about a scene potentially deemed religiously offensive, triggering a review.
Justice Asha questioned the CBFC's process, asking how a member of the certification committee could file a complaint in an individual capacity and why the film was up for review after already being scrutinized. The board clarified that the issue pertained to the use of a defence forces symbol without proper expertise, but stated there was no hidden agenda.
High Court's Interim Stay and Swift Appeal
In a significant turn on January 9, Justice Asha directed the censor board to issue a U/A 16+ certificate to 'Jana Nayagan'. However, this relief was short-lived. The CBFC swiftly challenged the order before a division bench led by the Chief Justice. The bench critically questioned the film's makers for announcing a release date before securing certification and, consequently, granted an interim stay on the single judge's order. The next hearing in the High Court was listed for January 21.
Makers Escalate Fight to Supreme Court
In a dramatic latest development, the producers of 'Jana Nayagan' have now approached the Supreme Court to challenge the interim stay imposed by the Madras High Court. According to reports, the production house has sought an urgent listing of their appeal and has requested that the matter be taken up as early as January 12. This move underscores the critical nature of the delay, as every passing day pushes the release further into limbo.
With the issue now resting squarely before the nation's top court, the fate of 'Jana Nayagan's release hinges on judicial proceedings that could themselves lead to further postponement. The legal entanglement has not only resulted in court battles featuring powerful lawyers but has also left millions of fans awaiting Vijay's final film in a state of prolonged suspense.
Disclaimer: This report is based on current judicial filings and reports from legal correspondents. As the matter is sub judice before the Supreme Court of India, all information regarding hearing dates and film certification is subject to change based on the court’s official orders. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of the film's release date.
