Release of Vijay’s Jana Nayagan delayed further as Madras HC reserves order

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When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ARL Sundaresan, appearing for CBFC, reportedly pointed out that the certification board was not given sufficient time to file a counter-affidavit. He also informed the court that the communication sent to the producers on January 6, informing them that the movie was being sent to a revising committee for review, was not challenged by them.

Pointing out that the board’s regional office had already communicated the decision to grant U/A certificate to the film based on a unanimous recommendation by the examining committee, senior advocate Satish Parasaran, appearing for Jana Nayagan’s makers, noted that the same could not have been referred for review. He pointed out that if the decision to send it to a revising committee was taken based on the complaint of one person, it indicated that the board was now carrying out the decision of the minority rather than the majority. He also claimed that the makers had already deleted the scenes to which the complainant had objected.

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One of the most anticipated Indian movies of the year, Jana Nayagan marks Vijay’s swansong before his full-fledged political entry. Although the makers initiated promotions and advance bookings in the weeks leading up to January 9, hopeful that the movie would receive a green signal from the CBFC eventually, their dreams came crashing down when the regional officer of the certification board informed them on January 5 that the CBFC chairperson had decided to refer the film to a revising committee.

This came after a five-member examining committee of the board watched the movie and reportedly recommended issuing a U/A 16+ certificate for it, subject to the excisions they recommended being carried out. The makers subsequently resubmitted Jana Nayagan after a fresh edit. However, the movie’s last-minute referral to a revising committee meant its January 9 release could be affected, prompting the makers to immediately approach the Madras High Court.

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On January 6 and 7, Justice PT Asha heard the case and subsequently reserved her order, indicating that her verdict might be pronounced on January 9, following which the makers officially postponed Jana Nayagan’s release without announcing a new date. On January 9, Justice Asha directed the CBFC to immediately grant a U/A 16+ certificate to Jana Nayagan.

However, the certification board quickly approached a division bench, headed by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, which, in turn, stayed the single judge’s order. It then posted the matter for further hearing on January 21. Meanwhile, the movie’s makers approached the apex court, but received no relief from there either. While refusing to entertain the plea, the Supreme Court asked the High Court to decide on the matter on January 20 itself.