Kamal Haasan calls for relook into CBFC process amid ‘Jana Nayagan’ controversy

Actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan has sharply criticised the delay in the release of Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’, urging a comprehensive review of India’s film certification system. The comments come amid mounting backlash from leading voices in the Indian film industry over the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) handling of the film.

In a post on X, Haasan said:

“India's Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, guided by reason, never diminished by opacity. This moment is larger than any one film; it reflects the space we accord art and artists in a constitutional democracy.

Cinema is not the labour of an individual alone but the collective effort of an ecosystem of writers, technicians, performers, exhibitors, and small businesses whose livelihoods depend on a fair and timely process.

When clarity is absent, creativity is constrained, economic activity is disrupted, and public trust is weakened. Tamil Nadu and India's cinema lovers bring passion, discernment, and maturity to the arts; they deserve openness and respect.

What is required now is a principled relook at the certification processes with defined timelines for certification, transparent evaluation, and written, reasoned justification for every suggested cut or edit.

This is also a moment for the entire film industry to unite and engage in meaningful, constructive dialogue with our government institutions. Such reform will safeguard creative freedom, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen India's democratic institutions by affirming trust in its artists and its people.”

Industry figures rally against CBFC

Haasan’s remarks follow a wave of criticism from prominent filmmakers and actors, who allege inconsistency and a lack of transparency in the certification process for ‘Jana Nayagan’.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, reacting soon after a Madras High Court order earlier this week, posted a blistering critique online, calling the CBFC “outdated” and arguing that its relevance has diminished in an era where children freely access violent content on digital platforms. Varma wrote that “censorship doesn't prevent exposure; it only insults the viewers,” adding that audiences regularly encounter graphic material on social media but face restrictions inside theatres.

Tamil director Mari Selvaraj also weighed in, urging fellow creators to “raise a loud voice” against what he described as interventions that contribute to a “spreading fear” over artistic expression. He framed the controversy as a test of how state institutions engage with political cinema.

Actors warn of production and release disruptions

Actor Sivakarthikeyan, speaking to reporters after his film ‘Parasakthi’ finally received its certificate on 9 January, expressed frustration that both his project and ‘Jana Nayagan’ had fallen into certification disputes. While acknowledging the Censor Board’s rules and criteria, he said the unpredictable process has a ripple effect on producers, theatres and workers across the industry.

He noted that last-minute changes to ‘Parasakthi’--implemented on the afternoon of certification day–had to be carried out under severe time pressure, with little opportunity to question the rationale behind them.

Jana Nayagan team outlines timeline of dispute

KVN Productions’ Venkat K Narayana posted a detailed explanation of the events leading to the current impasse, stating that ‘Jana Nayagan’ was submitted to the CBFC on 18 December 2025. The examining committee, he said, recommended a UA 16+ certificate on 22 December with certain cuts and modifications, all of which the team accepted and implemented.

However, days ahead of the scheduled 9 January release, the producers were informed that the film had been referred to a revising committee following a complaint. This triggered a petition before the Madras High Court, where a single judge questioned the reopening of an already-concluded certification process and directed the CBFC to grant clearance.

Court proceedings and stay order

On Friday, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court–Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan–stayed the earlier directive ordering the CBFC to issue the certificate. Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing via video conferencing, presented the grounds for the CBFC’s appeal.

The case is scheduled for further hearing on 21 January.

(With inputs from PTI)