Chennai, India — January 2, 2026
The Madras High Court on Tuesday set aside a single judge’s order that had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately issue a censor certificate to Thalapathy Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan, extending uncertainty over the movie’s release.
The ruling has effectively stalled the film’s theatrical release, with no fresh date announced so far.
⚖️ Madras High Court Overturns Single Judge Order
A division bench of the Madras High Court overturned the earlier directive that had asked the CBFC to grant immediate censor clearance to Jana Nayagan.
The court accepted the CBFC’s appeal and held that the single judge should not have examined the merits of the complaints related to the film’s content at that stage.
📜 CBFC’s Appeal Allowed
Jana Nayagan is widely seen as Thalapathy Vijay’s final film as an actor, as he has now formally entered active politics. The film was originally scheduled for release on January 9, 2026, but was postponed after the CBFC declined to issue the final certification.
On Tuesday, the division bench allowed the CBFC’s appeal challenging the order that had directed the board to issue a censor certificate without completing its review process.
👩⚖️ Court’s Observations
The bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan observed that the single judge should have allowed the CBFC sufficient time to file a counter affidavit.
The court ruled that the single judge erred by going into the merits of the allegations regarding the film’s content. As a result, the division bench set aside the impugned order and remitted the matter back to the single judge for fresh consideration.
The producer has been granted liberty to amend the petition, and the single judge will decide whether referring the matter to a review committee is warranted.
⏳ Release Likely to Be Delayed
With the division bench overturning the earlier relief, the High Court’s order indicates that Jana Nayagan may face further delays before receiving censor clearance, keeping fans waiting longer for Thalapathy Vijay’s much-anticipated film.
🎬 Why the Makers Approached the Court
The film’s producer, KVN Productions, had moved the High Court alleging that despite complying with cuts suggested by the examining committee, the CBFC was delaying the issuance of the final certificate.
The controversy reportedly began after the film was referred to a review committee based on complaints alleging misrepresentation of defense forces and hurt to religious sentiments. It later emerged that the complaint was filed by a member of the examining committee itself.
Following the CBFC’s refusal to grant clearance, the producers approached the High Court. While the single judge initially granted relief, the division bench has now set aside that order.
🔍 What Happens Next
The case will now return to the single judge for reconsideration. The timeline for Jana Nayagan’s release will depend on further judicial proceedings and the CBFC’s final decision.
