Jana Nayagan Hearing LIVE Updates: The Thalapathy Vijay-starrer was supposed to hit the screens on January 9, coinciding with Pongal. (Screenshot: YouTube/KVNProductionsOfficial)It seems that director H Vinoth’s Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan is unlikely to see the light of day anytime soon, as a division bench of the Madras High Court, headed by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, refrained from taking a final decision on its release date and sent the matter back to the single judge who was earlier hearing the case. The division bench, however, set aside the January 9 order of Justice PT Asha, in which she directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to give a U/A 16+ certificate to the movie. The court also directed the single judge to decide the matter “expeditiously,” while granting both parties proper opportunities to present their arguments.
One of the most awaited films of the year, particularly since it marks Vijay’s swansong before his full-fledged political entry, Jana Nayagan was supposed to hit the screens on January 9, coinciding with Pongal, but was postponed after it failed to obtain CBFC clearance. Since then, the political action drama has been stuck in court with no respite in sight.
Although a division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, heard the matter in detail last Tuesday, January 20, it abstained from pronouncing a verdict immediately. After the hearing in an appeal filed by the CBFC challenging the January 9 order of the single judge, the court reserved its order, delaying Jana Nayagan’s release further. It may be mentioned here that a member of the certification board’s examining committee that viewed the film had filed a complaint against Jana Nayagan, which subsequently led to the movie being sent to a CBFC revising committee, marking the commencement of the ongoing controversy.
On January 20, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ARL Sunderesan, appearing for the CBFC, informed the division bench that the complaint referred to religious harmony and armed forces as well, and hence, experts may have to be invited to view the movie. Meanwhile, senior counsel Satish Parasaran, appearing for the producer, countered the CBFC’s arguments, stating that Team Jana Nayagan proceeded with release plans based on a communication received from the Chennai Regional Officer on December 22, which informed that the examining committee had recommended the issuance of a censor certificate. Requesting relief, Parasaran informed the court that the producer had invested Rs 500 crore in the movie.
Also starring Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, and Narain in key roles, Jana Nayagan is bankrolled by KVN Productions. On Monday, January 26, noted filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj confirmed that he will appear in a cameo role in the film. Jana Nayagan features music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Sathyan Sooryan, and editing by Pradeep E Ragav.
User @GowthamShravan3 wrote on X, "@KvnProductions @Jagadishbliss plz withdraw the case brother..... it's a head ache for you as well as for Tamil Industry also...... Let's always hope our best with the RC process..... Withdrawal of case itself is a Big...Big...Big Relief. #jananayagancensor #jananayagan."
User @pavi794 noted on X, "#suriya na -Business Expansion. #vijay na -Political Entry. #thala Ajith -Car Racing. #thalaivar and #aandavar at the end of their acting careers. Kollywood gave us legends… and now slowly takes them away."
User @VijayShadow123 posted on X, "Today I’m completely offline. Feeling very heartbroken after today’s results. #jananayagan #thalapathyvijay.”
User @Hari_tbg said via X, "I have decided to boycott all Tamil cinema in the coming days until #jananayagan releases. Because there is no proper support from the Tamil cinema industry regarding the #jananayagan release issue, and @actorvijay is one of the top actors in the Tamil industry. Now the movie release has been delayed even more, and as a true Vijay fan (Vijayism), I don’t want to support or promote any other Tamil cinema anymore. This decision is not only mine — my entire family (nearly 20 members) has also decided to #boycotttamilcinema."
X user @Jathees17 shared a note which read, "You can delay a date, but you cannot defeat belief. You can silence screens for a while, but you cannot silence millions of hearts. This is not a threat. This is a promise. From a fan who grew up with Vijay. From a fan who will stand with him till the last frame fades to black. Thalapathy forever."
User @Vibe_Cinemaa shared on X, "The wait for #jananayagan continues. With the Madras High Court sending the certification back for review, Thalapathy Vijay fans are holding their breath. Will we see his final masterpiece before the elections?"
User @rajkriishna posted on X, "Looks like #jananayagan is going to release on ott. As cbfc case is not ended yet. Election is coming. Promotion pending. Last dance is unfinished."
Amid the ongoing controversy, fans of 'Thalapathy' Vijay are worried about whether the movie will get a green signal from the court and, subsequently, from the CBFC before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections is put in place. Once the poll code comes into force, Jana Nayagan might face further delay, as the movie reportedly carries several political references.
Nonetheless, as the division bench of the Madras High Court has asked the single judge to decide the matter expeditiously, and since the polls aren't expected until April-May, it may very well receive court relief soon, paving the way for its release. But that's not the only issue plaguing the makers of the political action drama. Read more to find out what Jana Nayagan has at stake now
While setting aside the January 9 order of Justice PT Asha, in which she directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a U/A 16+ certificate to director H Vinoth's Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, a division bench of the Madras High Court, headed by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, noted on Tuesday that the board was not given ample time and opportunity to defend its decision. Pointing out that principles of natural justice had not been followed, the bench observed that the allegations raised in the complaint against the film were "of a serious nature."
Expressing vexation over the indefinite delay in the release of director H Vinoth's Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, one netizen wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Trying to stop Jana Nayagan is like stopping an erupting volcano. To those thinking they can block it: you aren't a barricade, you are just the first thing that will burn. When the movie hits theatres, we don't just celebrate... we dominate."
Requesting the makers of director H Vinoth's Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan not to consider a direct-to-OTT release, one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Even if it's (the film's debut) after the election, that's fine. But don't release the movie on OTT. A Vijay film has to release in cinemas, that's it. We have waited all this long, and we will wait till after the election too if needed."
The Madras HC has set aside the order for a U/A certificate for Vijay's Jana Nayagan and sent the matter back for fresh consideration. The single judge must now decide if CBFC's move to refer the movie to the revising committee is correct. Meanwhile, fans are worried about the film's release before the TN elections. KVN Productions is in dire straits owing to Rs 500 crore investment in the movie. Read more
Amid the ongoing Jana Nayagan controversy, one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Cheap politics play against Thalapathy Vijay. It will reflect in the 2026 election."
Opining that the delay in Jana Nayagan's release might affect the election prospects of "Thalapathy" Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a netizen stated that both the leader and the party had pinned their hopes on the movie to indirectly lead its poll campaign and promote its political aspirations and messages. The netizen suggested that Vijay may need to rethink his strategies now.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Actor Vijay and his TVK might have depended a lot on Jana Nayagan's release, as a campaign for his party. In that sense, as of now, they might have to revise the tactic and strategy. Hope for the release before polls recede?"
While pronouncing its verdict on Tuesday, the Madras High Court division bench, led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, observed that the allegations raised in the complaint against Jana Nayagan were "of a serious nature," prompting the CBFC chairperson to refer the movie to a revising committee. Given the seriousness of those objections, the court said, the single judge ought to have afforded the board an opportunity to present its case. Read full report here
During the hearing on January 20, senior counsel Satish Parasaran, appearing for the movie’s makers, told the division bench of the Madras High Court that the producer had spent Rs 500 crore on Jana Nayagan.
While Jana Nayagan's legal battle against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) continues with no end in sight, noted director Lokesh Kanagaraj recently opened up about the obstacles he faced when his recent directorial venture, the Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, was submitted for certification. Alleging that the board requested 35 cuts, Lokesh claimed that Coolie faced a Rs 50 crore loss as a result.
"I was okay with the nine muted words they asked, but not the 35 cuts. Do we release a complete film with an A certificate or an incomplete film with a UA certification was the question. We applied for re-censoring, but they once again recommended the same 35 cuts," he reportedly said during a recent press conference. Lokesh added, "The board stated that the film thematically falls under an A certificate due to the depiction of electric cremation."
The director subsequently decided not to compromise his film and accepted being certified 'A' by the CBFC instead of subjecting Coolie to 35 cuts. He further alleged that as a result, the Rajinikanth-starrer faced a revenue loss of Rs 40-50 crore due to the restricted audience.
Extending support to the superstar, one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Thalapathy can face any kind of obstacles if we are with him. We know exactly what is going on for Thalapathy. So, when the time comes, we as people should show our power and make politicians realise nobody can bring down Thalapathy."
After a division bench of the Madras High Court delivered its verdict in the Jana Nayagan case, an X (formerly Twitter) account that goes by the name Telugu Vijay Fans Club, posted, "Jana Nayagan will not release in February/March unless KVN decides to withdraw the case and go as per directions of CBFC to complete the due process of getting the censor certificate."
Expressing dissatisfaction with the inordinate delay in Jana Nayagan's release, one netizen wondered whether the movie would hit the screens before the upcoming Tamil Nadu state assembly elections. "Would there be any chance of #jananayagan releasing before the election dates are announced? Chances look dim though," he noted on X (formerly Twitter).
Although the makers of the movie and fans of "Thalapathy" Vijay were hopeful that Jana Nayagan would finally get relief from the Madras High Court on Tuesday, the division bench's decision to send the matter back to the single judge has dealt them a major blow.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, has asked the single judge to decide the matter "expeditiously," while granting both parties proper opportunities to present their arguments.
While pronouncing its verdict in an appeal filed by the CBFC challenging a single-judge order directing it to give a U/A 16+ certificate to the movie, a division bench of the Madras High Court noted that the appellant should have given an opportunity to the CBFC. While setting aside the January 9 order of the single judge, the division bench, however, sent the matter back to the single judge, "considering natural justice."
Pointing out that the single judge (Justice PT Asha) should not have gone into merits of the case without granting a proper opportunity to the CBFC, and in absence of the prayer challenging the board chairperson's order, a division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, reportedly asked the single judge to decide the matter expeditiously after granting proper opportunity. The HC has also asked the makers of the movie to amend its prayer before the writ court and challenge the chairperson's order as well.
In yet another setback for director H Vinoth's Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, a division bench of the Madras High Court has sent the matter back to the single judge, while setting aside the latter's previous order.
A division bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, has assembled to pronounce the verdict in the Jana Nayagan case.
With the Madras High Court set to pronounce its verdict in the Jana Nayagan case soon, the makers of the movie and fans of "Thalapathy" Vijay are hopeful that the decks will finally be cleared for the political action drama, paving the way for its release. Here's a timeline of events so far
A day before the Madras High Court was scheduled to deliver its verdict in the Jana Nayagan case, noted director Lokesh Kanagaraj, confirmed his involvement in "Thalapathy" Vijay's swansong. "H Vinoth anna and Vijay anna called me and asked me to do it. I have done a cameo, that is all I can say for now," news agency PTI quoted Lokesh as saying during a press conference. Known for helming blockbuster movies like Leo, Vikram, and Kaithi, Lokesh's most recent directorial venture was the Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie.
Amid the Jana Nayagan controversy, Tamil star "Thalapathy" Vijay recently took part in a massive Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) event in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram). While addressing the gathering, he assured them that he wouldn’t yield to political pressure.
"The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has directly surrendered to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has indirectly surrendered to it. We do not bow down to any pressure. Does this face look like it would succumb to pressure? That will never happen," Vijay reportedly said at the event on Sunday, January 25. Read More
Dear readers,
Welcome to SCREEN! After being stuck in court for three weeks, director H Vinoth's Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan is finally set to get clarity on its highly anticipated release date, as the Madras High Court will pronounce its verdict in the case on Tuesday, January 27.
Although a division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, heard the matter in detail last Tuesday, January 20, it abstained from pronouncing a verdict immediately. It is likely that the Madras High Court will settle the matter completely on Tuesday and deliver a definitive verdict.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates regarding the case hearing.
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