Chennai | January 9, 2026

The Madras High Court on Friday cleared the path for the theatrical release of the much-awaited Vijay-starrer Tamil film Jana Nayagan, directing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a “UA 16+” certificate immediately. The decision came after the producers, KVN Productions, challenged the CBFC chairperson’s last-minute order to send the film for a fresh review just days before its scheduled January 9 release.

Justice PT Asha allowed the producers’ petition, setting aside the CBFC chairperson’s directive and instructing the Board to issue the certificate without delay. A “UA 16+” rating, as per CBFC norms, allows unrestricted public viewing but cautions that children below 16 years should watch under parental guidance.

Background of the Case

The controversy began when the CBFC chairperson, in a letter dated January 6, ordered that Jana Nayagan be placed before the Revising Committee, despite the film having been previously cleared by the Examining Committee subject to certain modifications. The film had undergone 27 suggested excisions and edits, including muting specific words and scenes, which the producers accepted and implemented. The modified version was resubmitted to the Board on December 24, 2025.

According to senior counsel Satish Parasaran, representing KVN Productions, the CBFC’s delay caused significant financial and reputational loss, noting that the production house had invested nearly ₹500 crore and planned a worldwide release across 5,000 screens. Parasaran also highlighted that the Board failed to disclose the identity of the complainant or the exact nature of the grievance, adding to the uncertainty faced by the filmmakers.

The producers argued that the complaint, which triggered the Revising Committee referral, appeared to be an afterthought and should not justify reopening a process that had already concluded. Justice Asha agreed, observing that entertaining such complaints without proper basis could lead to a “dangerous trend” in the film certification process.

Court’s Observations

In her verdict, Justice Asha held that the CBFC chairperson acted without jurisdiction in ordering a review after the Examining Committee had cleared the film and the producers had implemented all suggested changes. She emphasized that the Board’s authority is statutory and cannot function arbitrarily or capriciously.

“The exercise of power by the chairperson is without jurisdiction,” Justice Asha said, noting that once the Examining Committee recommended certification and the modifications were carried out, the certificate should have followed automatically. The court stressed that the chairperson’s powers to send the film for review were exhausted once the Board informed the producers that a UA certificate would be granted subject to excisions.

The court also made it clear that statutory authorities like the CBFC must act within the scope of their powers and cannot reopen a concluded process simply on the basis of a complaint, particularly when that complaint surfaced after the examination and certification process had been substantially completed.

CBFC’s Position

The CBFC, through additional solicitor general ARL Sundaresan, argued that the chairperson was not bound by the Examining Committee’s recommendation and had the authority under the Cinematograph Certification Rules to refer the film for review. Sundaresan stated that the complaint originated from a member of the Examining Committee itself.

The Board also sought urgent intervention from a bench led by Chief Justice MM Srivastava immediately after Justice Asha’s order, requesting a hearing to challenge the verdict. The Chief Justice advised the Board to file a proper appeal, which would then be considered by the court.

Implications for the Film

With the Madras High Court’s order, Jana Nayagan is now cleared for release, with the CBFC directed to issue the UA certificate forthwith. The ruling is expected to allow the producers to proceed with their planned nationwide release without further legal obstacles.

Justice Asha’s decision underscores the need for statutory bodies to follow due process and not act arbitrarily, particularly in cases involving high-profile commercial films with significant financial investments. The court also highlighted the importance of maintaining transparency in the certification process and ensuring that complaints are genuine and substantiated before affecting film releases.

Broader Significance

This case comes at a time when the CBFC has faced increasing scrutiny over its certification practices, particularly regarding delays and alleged arbitrary interventions. The court’s intervention reiterates that certification authorities cannot undermine procedural fairness or disrupt the release of films that comply with Board recommendations.

For the film industry, the ruling is likely to be seen as a positive precedent, reinforcing the principle that once a film meets all certification requirements, statutory authorities cannot delay its release based on after-the-fact complaints. It also emphasizes the judicial system’s role in protecting the commercial interests and reputations of filmmakers, particularly in high-budget productions.

KVN Productions has welcomed the verdict, noting that the court’s direction restores certainty for their release schedule and allows the film to reach audiences as planned. The producers had expressed concern that any further delay would have caused significant financial losses and disrupted marketing plans for the worldwide release.

Conclusion

The Madras High Court’s order marks a decisive moment in the certification process for Jana Nayagan, balancing the statutory authority of the CBFC with the rights and commercial interests of filmmakers. By directing the immediate issuance of a UA 16+ certificate, Justice PT Asha has cleared the path for one of the year’s most anticipated Tamil releases, reaffirming the principle that statutory bodies must act within their jurisdiction and cannot arbitrarily impede film releases.

The CBFC is expected to comply with the court’s directive promptly, ensuring that audiences across India and abroad can watch Jana Nayagan without further delay.

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