Madras High Court stays certification order for Jana Nayagan after CBFC appeal
The Madras High Court’s earlier order directing the CBFC to grant a U/A 16+ certificate for the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan has been put on hold after the central board filed an appeal. The court had originally ruled in favour of the film’s makers on January 9, but following the CBFC’s challenge a division bench stayed that single-judge order. The matter is listed for further hearing on January 21, leaving the film’s planned release this month uncertain.
Key points from the court order
- The producer applied for certification on December 18. The film was screened by the Examining Committee on December 19, which unanimously recommended a U/A 16+ certificate subject to certain cuts.
- The makers implemented the requested edits and filed Form IX on December 24; the record shows the excised portions were verified.
- On January 5, the CBFC informed the producers that the film would be sent to a Revising Committee after a complaint alleged the content could hurt religious sensibilities and contained problematic portrayals of the armed forces.
- The court noted that some visuals, including a portion involving the National Flag, had already been removed during the original examination.
- Crucially, the judge pointed out the complainant was a member of the Examining Committee and that many objections in the complaint repeated points he had previously recorded and which were already addressed by cuts.
- The court described the subsequent complaint and referral as an “afterthought” and “motivated,” warning that such reversals risk undermining the CBFC process.
- Holding that the Chairperson’s power to refer the film to a Revising Committee ended once the Board accepted the Examining Committee recommendation (communicated on December 22), the court said the January 6 referral decision lacked jurisdiction.
Why the CBFC sought a fresh review
The CBFC’s decision to refer Jana Nayagan to a Revising Committee followed a complaint raising two broad concerns: that certain scenes and dialogues suggested foreign powers were stoking large-scale religious conflict in India, potentially disturbing communal harmony, and that there were multiple references related to the Army without a defence expert on the Examining Committee. The complaint was placed on record and became the basis for the board asking for another look.
Timeline at a glance
- December 18: Producer files for certification.
- December 19: Examining Committee screens the film and recommends U/A 16+ with modifications.
- December 24: Makers submit Form IX after making the cuts; excised portions verified.
- December 22: Examining Committee recommendation communicated to the Board (as per court record).
- January 5: CBFC informs producers of referral to Revising Committee following a complaint.
- January 9: Madras High Court grants U/A 16+ certificate in favour of the makers (single judge order).
- Shortly after: CBFC challenges the order and requests a fresh review; the court stays the earlier order.
- January 21: Next hearing date — fate of the certificate and the film’s release remains uncertain.
What this means for the film and viewers
The stay on the court’s order creates immediate uncertainty around Jana Nayagan’s theatrical release this month. The producers had already complied with the Examining Committee’s cut requests, but the CBFC’s move and the subsequent legal tussle mean the certification process isn’t finalized until the January 21 hearing. The judge’s critical remarks about the timing and motivation behind the complaint could influence the court’s final view, but until then the film’s public launch is in limbo.
Final note
The dispute highlights tensions that can arise between industry stakeholders and the certification process — especially when fresh complaints surface after a committee has already reviewed a film. The coming week’s hearing will be watched closely by fans of Vijay and by those tracking how sensitive themes are handled by both filmmakers and the censor board.
