Madras high court reserves order on Vijay’s Jana Nayagan; release unlikely on Jan 9

CHENNAI: It was the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), and not the Union govt, which sent actor Vijay’s Jana Nayagan to the revision committee of the board for review, additional solicitor-general of India A R L Sundaresan told Madras high court on Wednesday.After the board’s tough stand and prolonged arguments by both sides, Justice P T Asha reserved her orders stating that the verdict could be delivered on Jan 9. Under the circumstances, Jana Nayagan is unlikely to be released as scheduled on Jan 9. Earlier, noting that the board had the necessary power to subject a film for review and revision by another committee of members, Sundaresan submitted that one among the five committee members, who watched the film, raised a complaint stating that his objections were not considered before the committee recommended issuance of a ‘UA 16+’ certificate to the film. In view of the complaint, the chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) referred the film to the revising committee by exercising his powers under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, he added.Opposing the contention, the senior advocate for the producer, Satish Parasaran, wondered why so much importance was given to the objection of a single member of the committee while the majority decided in favour of issuing a certificate for the movie.He further pointed out that as many as 27 modifications were made to the movie as per the recommendations of the board for granting a ‘UA 16+’ certificate. “The producer invested Rs 500 crore, and it cannot be dealt with so lightly,” he added.The film was submitted for certification on Dec 18. On Jan 5, the board intimated the producers that it was being referred to another committee for review, prompting the producer to move the court and argue that it was being delayed deliberately.After hearing both sides, Justice Asha said the orders would likely be pronounced on Jan 9.