'Jana Nayagan' censor certificate controversy: Madras High Court single bench order overturned, suspense over the film's release continues.

Actor Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan' is embroiled in controversy regarding its release. The matter reached the court. The makers of the Vijay-starrer film had approached the court after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to issue a censor certificate. The Madras High Court heard the case on January 20th and reserved its judgment, which was pronounced today. Here's what the court said:

Madras High Court Quashes Single Bench Order

According to news agency PTI, the Madras High Court has quashed the single bench's order. Following this, the film's release date remains uncertain. The court overturned the single bench's order that had directed the CBFC to issue a censor certificate for 'Jana Nayagan'.

CBFC's Petition Accepted

'Jana Nayagan' is being touted as actor Vijay's last film, as he has now become active in politics. The film was scheduled for release on January 9, 2026, but it was postponed after the CBFC refused to clear it. Now, on Tuesday, a division bench of the Madras High Court accepted the CBFC's appeal challenging a single-judge's direction to grant immediate censor clearance to the Vijay-starrer film 'Jana Nayagan'.

High Court Heard Arguments from Both Sides on December 20

The first bench of Chief Justice M M Srivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan said that the single judge, Justice P T Asha, should have given the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) time to file a counter-affidavit. The High Court allowed the producer of 'Jana Nayagan' to approach the single judge for an expeditious disposal of the case. The court also said that the single judge is free to decide whether the decision to send the matter to the Review Committee was correct or not. On January 20, after hearing lengthy arguments from both sides, the bench reserved its order on the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) appeal against an order passed by Justice Asha. Justice Asha had, on January 9, allowed the petition filed by the producer of the film 'Jana Nayagan' and directed the CBFC to issue the censor certificate immediately.

Further delay in the film's release is likely!

The bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan stated that the single judge had erred in considering the merits of the complaint regarding the film's content. Therefore, the division bench remanded the matter back to the single judge for reconsideration. The division bench's order stated, "The single-judge should not have gone into the merits and demerits. The writ court's decision is set aside, the appeal is allowed, and the impugned order is quashed. The petitioner is given an opportunity to amend the petition." The High Court's order makes it clear that the film's release may be further delayed.

Why did the producers approach the court?

The film's producer, KVN Productions, had filed a petition in the High Court alleging that the CBFC was delaying the issuance of the final censor certificate despite the producer complying with the cuts suggested by the examining committee. The controversy surrounding the film's release reportedly began when the film was referred to a reviewing committee based on a complaint alleging misrepresentation of the defense forces and hurting religious sentiments. It later emerged that the complaint was filed by a member of the examining committee itself. When the film did not receive clearance from the censor board, the producers approached the High Court. The single-judge had granted relief in the matter, but the division bench had already stayed that order. Today, the division bench set aside the single judge's order. Now, it remains to be seen when the path for the film's release will be cleared.