Censor Row: Madras High Court Defers Ruling on Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ Certification

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The court is deciding if the board must issue a U/A certificate immediately. This case is very important as Vijay is retiring from acting to focus on his new political party. The final ruling will determine if the film can hit theaters or if it faces more delays.

The Legal Fight Over Certification

The issue started when the CBFC tried to stop the film's release just four days before its big premiere. An initial committee had already cleared the movie with a U/A rating. The filmmakers even agreed to make 27 specific cuts to satisfy the board. However, the CBFC later claimed the film might be offensive to the armed forces.

A single judge previously ruled in favor of the filmmakers, calling the board's delay unfair. Currently, a higher bench of judges has paused that decision to hear more evidence. This means the movie cannot be shown in theaters until the court makes a final choice. Millions of dollars are at stake as the production house waits for a green light.

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Who pays the price for the Jana Nayagan censor row?

While the court debates, local theater owners are losing a lot of money. The holiday season is the busiest time for cinemas in Tamil Nadu, and many small business owners rely on a massive Vijay film to pay their bills for the entire year. Without this movie, popcorn sales and ticket revenue have dropped significantly.

It is not just theaters that are hurting; companies that bought the rights to show the movie on TV or streaming apps are also stuck. If the theatrical release is late, every other deal gets pushed back. Fans are also worried that the film is being blocked for political reasons. They fear that the delay is meant to hurt Vijay’s image before the next election.

This court case will have a huge impact on how movies are censored in India. It will decide if the government can change its mind after a movie is already approved. If the filmmakers win, it will be a victory for creative freedom. However, if the board wins, it might become harder for other directors to release bold stories. For now, everyone is waiting to see if Vijay's final film will finally reach the big screen.

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