The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a petition filed by the producers of Tamil superstar Vijay’s upcoming film “Jana Nayagan”, which had challenged an interim order of the Madras High Court staying the movie’s censor clearance. The case has drawn national attention as the film is widely being seen as Vijay’s last on-screen appearance before he fully enters politics.
A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Augustine George Masih refused to interfere with the High Court’s interim decision. The judges directed the producers to approach the division bench of the Madras High Court for relief and also asked the High Court to decide the matter on January 20. The direction came after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the film’s producers, argued that movies are perishable assets and that even a short delay could lead to serious financial and reputational loss.
The legal hurdle arose after the Madras High Court on January 9 stayed a single-judge order that had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately grant a censor certificate to the film. With the stay in place, the CBFC was unable to clear the movie, leaving its planned Pongal release in uncertainty.
“Jana Nayagan” has been under intense spotlight not only because of Vijay’s stardom but also due to its strong political undertones. The actor recently launched his own political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and the film is being projected as his final cinematic appearance before shifting focus entirely to politics. This political background has made the certification process more sensitive and closely watched.
The film’s production house, KVN Productions LLP, has challenged the High Court’s stay order, maintaining that all legal requirements were met and that the delay in granting certification is unjustified. The producers have argued that the film is ready for release and that postponement at this crucial time could result in heavy losses.
With the Supreme Court choosing not to intervene, the future of “Jana Nayagan” now rests with the Madras High Court. The hearing scheduled for January 20 will be crucial in determining whether the film can finally receive its CBFC certificate and move forward for theatrical release, ending weeks of uncertainty around one of Tamil cinema’s most talked-about films.