Madras High Court to Decide Release of Vijay’s Film ‘Jana Nayagan’

The release of the much-anticipated film ‘Jana Nayagan’, starring actor C. Joseph Vijay, is under scrutiny due to a legal dispute over its censor certification. The Madras High Court is scheduled to make a ruling on January 7, 2026, just days before the planned theatrical release on January 9, 2026.

Madras High Court’s Involvement

The case was brought before the court by KVN Productions LLP, seeking resolution of delays in the issuance of the film’s censor certificate. Justice P.T. Asha presided over the hearing, during which she instructed Additional Solicitor General AR.L. Sundaresan to present all relevant records, including any complaints related to the film’s content.

Financial Impact on KVN Productions

Legal counsel for the production company, Satish Parasaran, argued that the ongoing delays are causing significant financial and reputational damage. The firm has invested nearly ₹500 crore into ‘Jana Nayagan’ and intends to release the film across 5,000 screens worldwide.

Timeline of Events

• December 15, 2025: Post-production work completed.
• December 18, 2025: Film submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
• December 24, 2025: Modified version submitted after receiving recommendations from CBFC’s examining committee.
• January 5, 2026: Production notified that the film will be referred to the revising committee due to a complaint.

Concerns Raised About the Complaints

Parasaran highlighted that the January 5 notice from CBFC raised concerns over scenes purportedly hurting religious sentiments and the portrayal of armed forces. However, he emphasized that the identity of the complainant was undisclosed, posing questions about the validity of the complaint. Only technicians and members of the examining committee had viewed the film prior to the complaint.

Arguments Against Delay

The defense stressed that reopening the certification process based on vague grounds was arbitrary and potentially harmful. They argued that accepting such anonymous complaints could lead to a flood of unsubstantiated objections against films before their release.

The court’s ruling will determine the fate of ‘Jana Nayagan’ and will have significant implications for the film’s financial success and the future of similar productions in the industry.