SC Sends Jana Nayagan Row Back to Madras HC; Vijay's Film Can't Release Till Jan 20

In a major blow to the Jana Nayagan makers, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to intervene in the ongoing tussle between the producers of Jana Nayagan-a Tamil film starring actor-turned-politician Vijay-and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The apex court's decision effectively leaves the matter to be decided by the Madras High Court's Division Bench, which is scheduled to hear the case on January 20.

It also means the movie, which was supposed to be released on January 9, cannot hit the screens till January 20.

KVN Productions LLP, the film's producer, had approached the Supreme Court after the Division Bench of the Madras High Court stayed an earlier order of a Single Judge directing the CBFC to certify the film immediately.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the producers, argued that the industry routinely announces release dates before certification is granted, pointing out that over 5,000 theatres had already been booked for the film's release, according to a report in Live Law.

The film, widely publicized as Vijay's final cinematic outing before fully entering politics with his newly launched party, TVK, was slated for a Pongal release on January 9. However, the CBFC Chairperson's decision on January 6 to refer the film to a Revising Committee stalled the process, citing complaints about religious sensitivities and the portrayal of the armed forces.

Justice Dipankar Datta, speaking for the bench, stated, "We would welcome all the judges to dispose the matters within a day or two of its filing. But this should happen in all cases. This is a blistering pace...matter filed on 6th, decided on 7th...when the matter is fixed before the division bench on 20th, they have a right of appeal...."

The bench also highlighted a procedural gap: the Chairperson's January 6 order referring the film to the Revising Committee had not been directly challenged in the writ petition. Rohatgi countered that the producers had contested the January 5 communication, which was essentially the same as the Chairperson's order uploaded the following day.

Justice Datta, however, insisted that the petition should have been amended to explicitly include the later order.

Despite Rohatgi's plea that films are "perishable commodities" and his claim that the CBFC's actions were "mala fide," the Supreme Court remained unmoved. "We are not inclined to interfere," Justice Datta said, while adding that the High Court Division Bench "may endeavour to decide the appeal on January 20."

The dispute over Vijay's Jana Nayagan began in December 2025 when producers sought CBFC certification. After edits were made, the Chennai Regional Office indicated approval on December 29, but technical glitches stalled the final upload. Days later, on January 5, the CBFC Chairperson referred the film to a Revising Committee under Rule 24, citing a complaint from an Examining Committee member who had earlier cleared it. The order was uploaded on January 6.

On January 9, Justice PT Asha of the Madras High Court ruled the referral unsustainable and directed immediate certification, criticizing the committee member's reversal. The CBFC quickly appealed, and the Division Bench stayed the order, noting lack of opportunity for the Board to respond. The Bench, led by Chief Justice Shrivastava and Justice Murugan, has set January 20 for hearing. For Vijay, the film marks his farewell to cinema; for producers, delays mean heavy financial risk.