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Chennai: In a dramatic last-minute legal turn, the Madras High Court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to file its response regarding the unexplained delay in granting a censor certificate to actor-politician Vijay’s high-budget Pongal release, Jana Nayagan. The film is slated for a worldwide release on January 9, just two days away.
Justice P.T. Asha heard an urgent petition filed by the film’s production company, KVN Productions, which contended that despite completing all required modifications suggested by the censor committee, the CBFC had not issued the certificate, putting the massive release plan in jeopardy.
Jana Nayagan movie release: Timeline of certification delays
According to the petition, the film was submitted for certification in December 2025. The CBFC’s examining committee viewed the film on December 19 and suggested certain cuts—including the removal of some scenes and muting of dialogues—which the producers promptly carried out and resubmitted. However, the certificate was still withheld without clear reason.
During the hearing, the CBFC’s counsel requested the court to allow the film to be sent to a fresh examining committee, citing that a “complaint” had been received against the film, necessitating a re-review. The counsel sought additional time for this process.
Production’s plea and Madras High court’s direction
Opposing this, the film’s legal team argued that with only days left for the scheduled worldwide release in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada, sending it to a new committee would be impractical and cause irreparable loss. They urged the court to examine the records and direct the CBFC to issue the certificate.
After hearing both sides, Justice Asha directed the CBFC to file its counter-affidavit and explain the reasons for the delay. The case has been adjourned to tomorrow, January 7, for further hearing.
High Stakes Ahead of PongalJananaayagan, directed by H. Vinoth and starring Vijay, Pooja Hegde, and Mamitha Baiju, is one of the most anticipated films of the season. Its music launch was held grandly in Malaysia last month, and its recently released trailer received a massive response.
The legal hurdle arrives amid a politically charged atmosphere, given Vijay’s recent entry into politics with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the CBI’s recent summons to him in the Karur stampede case. The court’s intervention tomorrow will be crucial in determining whether the film meets its Pongal release date or faces an uncertain delay.
