Jana Nayagan: Overseas distributors confirm Thalapathy Vijay's film has been postponed, await new date

THE TIMES OF INDIA (January 7, 2026)

Chennai: Merely because film producers have announced the release date of a film, they cannot insist that the authorities issue censor certificates expeditiously, Union govt told Madras High Court on Tuesday.

Additional solicitor general A R L Sundaresan made the submission when a petition filed by the producer of Vijay-starrer ‘Jana Nayagan’ came up for admission before Justice P T Asha. The producers have sought directions to CBFC to issue a certificate for the theatre release of the movie—touted as Vijay’s final film ahead of a full-time career in politics — on January 9.

“So far, the board has not taken a final decision on issuance of a certificate to the film and, therefore, the chairperson of the board was empowered to refer the movie to the revising committee,” Sundaresan said, adding it was sent to the committee as a complaint had been received against the film.

Satish Parasaran, counsel for KVN Production LLP, said the producer applied for certification of the film on December 18, 2025. On December 22, CBFC communicated that the examining committee recommended grant of a “UA 16+” certificate, subject to compliance with certain modifications. He said it was communicated that the “UA 16+” certificate was granted since the film contained a brief portrayal of religious sentiments and frequent and sustained fight sequences.

On Dec 24, recommended modifications were complied with, and the film was resubmitted. On December 29, the producer was informed by the board that the film would be granted a “UA 16+” certificate. However, on January 5, the board told the producer that the film was referred to the revising committee in view of a complaint. “Issuance of certification cannot be delayed, and reopening of certification cannot be done on a vague, undisclosed complaint,” Parasaran said.

Recording the submissions, the court directed the ASG to produce a copy of the complaint and adjourned the hearing to Wednesday.
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Sureshkumar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 8, 2026)

Chennai: It was the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), and not the Union govt, which sent actor Vijay’s Jana Nayagan to the revision committee of the board for review, additional solicitor-general of India A R L Sundaresan told Madras High Court on Wednesday.

After the board’s tough stand and prolonged arguments by both sides, Justice P T Asha reserved her orders stating that the verdict could be delivered on January 9. Under the circumstances, Jana Nayagan is unlikely to be released as scheduled on January 9.

Earlier, noting that the board had the necessary power to subject a film for review and revision by another committee of members, Sundaresan submitted that one among the five committee members, who watched the film, raised a complaint stating that his objections were not considered before the committee recommended issuance of a ‘UA 16+’ certificate to the film.

In view of the complaint, the chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) referred the film to the revising committee by exercising his powers under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, he added.

Opposing the contention, the senior advocate for the producer, Satish Parasaran, wondered why so much importance was given to the objection of a single member of the committee while the majority decided in favour of issuing a certificate for the movie.

He further pointed out that as many as 27 modifications were made to the movie as per the recommendations of the board for granting a ‘UA 16+’ certificate. “The producer invested Rs 500 crore, and it cannot be dealt with so lightly,” he added.

The film was submitted for certification on December 18. On January 5, the board intimated the producers that it was being referred to another committee for review, prompting the producer to move the court and argue that it was being delayed deliberately.

After hearing both sides, Justice Asha said the orders would likely be pronounced on January 9.