Jana Nayagan censor row: SC to hear KVN Productions' petition on January 19

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition on Jan 19 filed by the producers of the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, challenging a Madras High Court order that halted the film's theatrical debut.

The plea, submitted by KVN Productions LLP, seeks to overturn an interim stay issued by a division bench of the High Court last Friday. That stay effectively froze a single judge's directive that had ordered the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to clear the movie for immediate release.

According to the apex court’s cause list for Tuesday, the matter is slated for a Jan. 19 hearing. A specific bench has yet to be assigned to the case.

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Background of the Dispute

The legal battle has left the highly anticipated film, widely seen as the final cinematic project for actor-turned-politician Vijay before his full-time entry into politics, in a state of indefinite delay. Originally scheduled for a grand Pongal release on Jan. 9, the movie became embroiled in a certification row when the CBFC chairperson referred it to a revising committee, citing concerns over religious sentiments and the portrayal of the armed forces.

On Jan. 9, Justice P.T. Asha of the Madras High Court ruled in favour of the producers, noting that since an examining committee had already recommended a "UA 16+" certificate with minor edits, the chairperson lacked the authority to unilaterally reopen the process. She ordered the CBFC to issue the certificate "forthwith."

However, hours later, a division bench led by the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court stayed that order, agreeing with the CBFC’s argument that it had not been given a fair opportunity to file a formal response.

Supreme Court Action

In their appeal to the Supreme Court, KVN Productions argued that the last-minute hurdle had caused "irreparable loss" to the producers and the thousands of theatre workers relying on the holiday release. Meanwhile, the CBFC has filed a caveat in the apex court, requesting that no orders be passed without first hearing the board's side of the argument.

While some regional distributors have optimistically suggested a Jan. 14 release date, the film’s pan-India status remains contingent on the upcoming judicial outcome.

With inputs from PTI