Madras High Court directs CBFC to grant U/A 16+ for Jana Nayagan, but release remains uncertain
The Madras High Court has ordered the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a U/A 16+ certificate for Jana Nayagan, the much-anticipated Tamil film starring Vijay. The single-judge bench led by Justice P. T. Asha set aside a directive that had sent the film to the Revising Committee and said the certificate should follow once required excisions recommended by the Examining Committee were carried out.
Why the court intervened
Producers KVN Productions LLP moved the High Court after the CBFC did not grant certification in time for the film’s scheduled release on January 9, forcing a last-minute postponement. The court noted that the Examining Committee had already recommended a U/A certificate subject to cuts, the makers complied with those cuts, and the certificate should have been issued automatically. Justice Asha described objections raised later by a single member as an “afterthought.”
CBFC appeals — what happened next
Despite the court order, the CBFC has appealed to the Chief Justice. The board argued the single judge did not give it a chance to file a counter-affidavit and that the judge exceeded the relief sought. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court a single judge cannot reshuffle the board’s internal certification process and that the CBFC Chairperson retains the rule-based right to refer a film to the Revising Committee.
Because of the appeal, enforcement of the single judge’s order is currently stayed. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing on January 21, leaving the film’s release date unresolved despite earlier advance bookings and public interest.
Procedural questions raised in court
- The producers said the regional CBFC office had told them on December 22, 2025, that a U/A certificate would be granted once the stipulated cuts were made — which they did — and only formal issuance remained.
- The High Court asked why the release date was fixed before the certificate was in hand, and why the board wasn’t given a short window to file an official response to the petition.
- The judge emphasised that statutory bodies like the CBFC should be afforded reasonable opportunities to reply, just as individual litigants are.
What the judge said about CBFC procedure
Justice Asha held that the CBFC Chairperson acted “without jurisdiction” in reopening the certification after the Examining Committee had cleared the film. Under the Cinematograph Certification Rules and the board’s internal practice, once the Examining Committee communicates its decision and the makers implement the excisions, the formal certificate should follow without further obstacles.
Why this matters for Jana Nayagan and Pongal 2026
Jana Nayagan, directed by H. Vinoth and featuring Vijay alongside Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju and others, was eyed as a major release for the Pongal 2026 window. Producers have stressed the commercial stakes tied to that festive slot; a certification delay has direct box-office and distribution consequences, especially after advance bookings were already opened.
What’s next
The appeal to the Chief Justice keeps the single judge’s order on hold for now. The next hearing is scheduled for January 21, when the court will consider the CBFC’s plea and procedural arguments. Until then, the film’s release remains in limbo and fans will have to wait for a final decision on the certification and a new release date.
