Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday reserved orders on a plea filed by the producers of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan challenging the non-issuance of a censor certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on January 9, coinciding with the film’s scheduled release date, according to a report by Live Law.

A bench led by Justice PT Asha noted that the Examining Committee’s objections had earlier been considered, excisions carried out, and objectionable words muted, yet the CBFC chose to stall issuance of the certificate.

“Now the only ground on which you want to review the movie is based on the complaint, which on the face of it is not maintainable because all objections raised in the complaint have already been dealt with,” the Court remarked.

Reminding the CBFC that it was a responsible statutory body, the Court questioned how a completed certification process could be reopened on such a basis. “You're a responsible body. When the entire exercise of revision is based on a complaint, and the complaint only says that objections have not been considered…” Justice Asha observed, trailing off in visible disapproval.

Appearing for the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan submitted that the Chairperson was not bound by the decision of the Examining Committee and could order a review even after the committee had viewed the film. Citing Rule 23(14) of the Cinematograph Certification Rules, he argued that the Chairperson could differ from the committee’s opinion either suo motu or based on information received, including a complaint.

Court flags lack of notice to producers

The Court also questioned why the producers were not informed of the decision to send the film for review, particularly when earlier communications indicated that certification would be granted. “At no point of time, they were put on notice about the review,” Justice Asha observed, asking why producers were allowed to proceed with modifications if the Chairperson had already decided to order a review.

The ASG responded that the Chairperson had instructed the Regional Office to put the process on hold and claimed the producers were informed on January 5, 2026. He added that under the Rules, the CBFC had 15 days to examine a film and 20 days to constitute a Revising Committee once a review decision was taken.

“When there is a two-tier system, we should not be curtailed from taking it up with the second tier,” he argued, adding that the petitioner could not seek to prohibit the CBFC from exercising statutory powers.

Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran, appearing for KVN Productions, strongly opposed the reopening of the process, terming it arbitrary and illegal. “After seeing the movie, the member could have only made recommendations. The member has now become the complainant. I don't know how that happens,” he submitted.

Parasaran argued that the law recognised a clear distinction between recommendations and complaints and that once a majority decision was taken by the Examining Committee, the opinion of a single member could not invalidate it. “Even if one member has objections, it is still a 4:1 majority. How does the opinion of one member become the basis for review?” he asked.

He further submitted that Rule 24 could be invoked only when no majority decision had been reached, which was not the case, and pointed out that all communications were required to be routed through the e-Cinepraman portal, whereas the entire review exercise had been carried out “outside the radar.”

What's the controversy?

The film production company had announced that the film is scheduled for release in theatres on January 9, coinciding with the Pongal festival.

In this situation, a censor certificate has not been issued for 'Jananayagan' so far. The film team, having completed all work for the film, sent it for censorship on the 18th of last month.

Subsequently, on December 19, the censor board that viewed the film reportedly advised the removal of some scenes and muting of some dialogues.

Even after the production company made the changes suggested by the censor board members and re-submitted it, the censor certificate has still not been issued.

With only two days left for the film's release and the censor certificate not being received, K V N Productions, the film production company, filed a petition in the High Court, and the petition was heard by Justice Asha.