'Jana Nayagan' censor delay: Thalapathy Vijay's filmmakers move to court, Will H. Vinoth's directorial release on January 9?

A pall of uncertainty is cast over the release of ‘Jana Nayagan,’ Thalapathy Vijay’s much-anticipated last film, as its makers have moved an urgent application in the Madras High Court owing to the delay in securing censor clearance. One of the producers moved the application on behalf of the movie’s production company and asked if the court can instruct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately issue the censor certificate for the film, considering its grand release on January 9.

The Madras High Court appears to have raised this issue for urgent consideration, clearly indicative of the stakes attached to the producers.

CBFC clearance pending despite compliance with suggested edits

As reported by India Today, 'Jana Nayagan,' directed by H. Vinoth, was sent to the CBFC on December 18. “Though minor cuts were advised by the certification board, the team wants to make those revisions immediately.” As per reports, the certification for Jana Nayagan was held back even after the film's team had made adjustments based on the board's suggestions.

This raised several questions with only three days to go until its release.

With no time to spare, the legal path to filing the petition was adopted so that its release remains free from any obstructions.

Theaters hold back bookings amid unprecedented uncertainty

The delay has created a stir in the exhibition industry, making theaters in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka tread cautiously. While a certain number of multiplex theaters have begun advance bookings, single-screen theaters are reluctant to let their houses go dark without certification.

Theater owners have observed that while certification may get delayed at the Censor Board, a lead time of more than a week is unprecedented in the case of a Vijay movie, especially when the countdown to release has already commenced, sending nerves jangling among distributors, exhibitors, and fans.

Political pressure mounts as the Pongal clash faces certification hurdles

Putting a political spin on the matter, representatives of Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), have been vocal about their dissatisfaction regarding the delay.

Deputy General Secretary CT Nirmal Kumar stated, “TVK will decide on our next action if certification isn’t awarded in a few hours. The file has been with CBFC since mid-December.” Sivakarthikeyan’s ‘Parasakthi’ is also in similar certification trouble to get a release, which is going to make the already competitive Pongal box-office battle messier.

With time running out, the focus shifts to the High Court for clarity on ‘Jana Nayagan.’Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on reported news of court proceedings and legal claims. It does not constitute legal advice or a definitive statement on the outcome of the case. Readers should not rely solely on this information for making legal or commercial decisions.