CBFC Member Alleges that the Chennai Examination Committee Approved Jana Nayagan Certificate Release Without Following Procedure

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The release of Jana Nayagan, starring actor and TVK chief Vijay, has been pushed further after the Madras High Court allowed an appeal by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and set aside an earlier single-judge order granting the film a ‘UA’ certificate on Tuesday (January 27, 2026).

Jana Nayagan Controversy Deepens

The appeal challenged a direction issued by a single-judge instructing the CBFC to immediately grant censor clearance to Jana Nayagan. The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan, concluded that such a direction was premature in the absence of a full hearing.

“Single-judge ought not to have gone into merits. Decision of the writ court has to go, the appeal is allowed and the impugned order is set aside. The writ petitioner is given opportunity to amend the writ petition,” the Division Bench order stated.

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The Division Bench ruled that the matter should be reconsidered, holding that the CBFC was not afforded sufficient opportunity to place its response on record before the single-judge intervened.

Jana Nayagan's Certification Issue

The producers, KVN Productions, approached the High Court alleging undue delay by the CBFC in issuing the final censor certificate despite complying with all cuts and modifications suggested by the Examining Committee.

According to submissions before the court, the makers applied for certification on December 18, 2025. The Examining Committee subsequently recommended a ‘UA 16+’ certificate, citing depictions of violence, fight sequences, gory visuals and brief references to religious sentiments. Certain excisions and modifications were directed, which the producers said were fully implemented.

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An email dated January 5 stated that the film was being referred to a Revising Committee under Rule 24 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, based on a complaint alleging improper portrayal of defence forces and potential hurt to religious sentiments. It later emerged that the complaint had been made by a member of the Examining Committee itself.

Final Thoughts

The Division Bench had earlier stayed the single-judge order on January 9. It noted that the Central government had not been given adequate time to respond. A subsequent plea by the producer before the Supreme Court challenging both the stay and the delay in certification was dismissed on January 15.

According to a CBFC panel member, Jana Nayagan contains visuals and dialogues depicting foreign powers orchestrating large-scale religious conflict in India, which can affect  communal harmony.

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