Actor Vijay’s much-anticipated Tamil film Jana Nayagan has hit a major legal roadblock after the Madras High Court set aside an earlier order directing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a censor certificate for the movie. The latest ruling has cast fresh uncertainty over the film’s release, which was originally scheduled for the Pongal festival earlier this month.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.M. Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan allowed an appeal filed by the CBFC and observed that certain portions of the film contain references to the Indian Army and religious sentiments, which require careful consideration. The Bench held that the single judge should have given the censor board adequate time to file its counter affidavit before issuing directions.
The court noted that matters involving the Army and religious harmony cannot be treated casually and must undergo due scrutiny under the certification process. It added that the CBFC Chairperson’s decision to refer the film to a revising committee warranted examination and could not be dismissed without hearing the board’s position.
The legal dispute dates back to December 22, 2025, when a five-member examining committee of the CBFC, after viewing the film, reportedly recommended it for certification. However, following a complaint raised by one of the committee members, the CBFC Chairperson decided to put the recommendation on hold and referred the matter to the revising committee. This decision was formally communicated to the producer, KVN Productions LLP, on January 5.
Challenging this move, the producers approached the Madras High Court. On January 9, Justice P.T. Asha allowed the plea, quashed the CBFC’s communication, and directed the board to grant the censor certificate forthwith. However, on the same day, the Division Bench stayed the order after the CBFC filed an appeal, leading to the current verdict.
While setting aside the single judge’s order, the High Court granted liberty to KVN Productions LLP to amend its plea and seek an early hearing before the single judge. The Bench clarified that the judge would be free to decide whether the CBFC’s decision to refer the film to the revising committee was justified, after considering all submissions.
The ruling has put the fate of Jana Nayagan in limbo, with its release now dependent on further legal proceedings and the outcome of the revising committee’s review. The film has drawn significant attention as it is widely believed to be Vijay’s final cinematic project before his full-time political entry. The actor currently heads the Tamiga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party and has been actively positioning himself in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
With the High Court emphasizing procedural fairness and sensitivity in content certification, the future of the film remains uncertain for now, keeping fans and the film industry waiting for clarity.