The Madras High Court has instructed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to quickly issue a U/A 16+ certificate for the film ‘Jana Nayagan,’ starring Vijay. The film’s release was delayed due to issues with censorship clearance. Directed by H. Vinoth, ‘Jana Nayagan’ had faced objections during the examination process, leading to a recommendation for a U/A 16+ certificate with modifications. Despite complying with the changes, a dissenting member’s objections caused a further delay.
Justice P.D. Asha, in the court order, noted that the objections raised seemed like an afterthought upon reviewing the records. The court warned against entertaining such objections at a late stage, as it could disrupt the certification process. The High Court ruled that the CBFC chairperson’s decision to refer the film to a revising committee was unjustified. Once the examining committee suggested a U/A certificate with modifications and the filmmakers made the necessary changes, the certificate should have been issued promptly.
The CBFC, in response to the High Court’s order, filed an appeal and requested a stay. Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan sought an urgent hearing before Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava. The appeal is expected to be addressed formally, possibly later in the day. ‘Jana Nayagan’ marks Vijay’s final cinematic release before his entry into politics, adding significance to the film’s delayed certification process.
