BREAKING| Madras High Court Directs CBFC To Forthwith Grant Film Certificate To Vijay Starrer 'Jana Nayagan' Movie

The Madras High Court on Friday (January 9) directed the Central Board of Film Certification to forthwith grant U/A certificate to upcoming Tamil movie "Jana Nayagan" starring Vijay. The film was held up due to a complaint made to the censor board alleging that contents of the movie hurt religious sentiments. Set to hit the theaters today, as per news reports, its release has been postponed.Justice PT Asha while pronouncing the order said: "After examining materials, it is crystal clear that the complainant's grievance appears to be an after thought".The court said that entertaining such complaints would give rise to "dangerous trend".Film's producer KVN Productions, represented by Venkata K Narayana, submitted that on December 22, a communication was received from the Regional Office informing that the Examining Committee had recommended granting a "UA" certificate for the movie, subject to the compliance of certain excisions and modifications specified in the communication.It was further submitted that these modifications had been carried out and the movie was resubmitted following which, on December 29, the regional office informed that the movie would be given a UA certificate.However, on January 5 the producer received an email from CBFC's Regional Office informing that the competent authority had decided to refer the movie to the Revising Committee as per Rule 24 of the Cinematograph Certification Rules based on the above complaint.The Court today said that the action was without jurisdiction and once the modifications recommended by the examining committee is carried out, the certificate for the film would automatically follow.It further said: "Exercise of power by the chairperson is without jurisdiction since the power of chairperson to send for review stood abdicated after he, on behalf of committee informed that UA certificate would be granted subject to incisions".It further said that since the order is without jurisdiction, the high court, using its inherent powers can modify the relief. The high court thus set aside the letter of the CBFC chairperson sending the movie to the review committee. It further allowed the petition and directed CBFC to issue UA certificate for the film forthwith. The court had reserved the orders on Wednesday after hearing Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran for the production house and Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan for the CBFC.KVN Productions had argued that the reopening of the certificate already granted was against law.On the other hand, the CBFC argued that the Chairperson was not bound by the decision of the Examining Committee and could order a review even after the committee had viewed the film.He submitted that under Rule 23(14) of the Cinematograph Certification Rules, the Chairperson could differ from the committee's opinion either suo motu or based on information received, including a complaint.It was argued that, if after examination and opinion, even one committee member raised objections, the Chairperson could consider those objections and send the film to the Revising Committee. In the present case, it was argued that one of the committee member had sent the complaint stating that his objections were not considered.Countering this argument, the production house argued that a committee member could not convert themselves into a complainant. It was submitted that the law recognised a distinction between recommendations and complaints and that once a majority decision was taken by the Examining Committee, the opinion of one member could not invalidate it.Counsel for Petitioner: Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran for Vijayan SubramaniamCounsel for Respondent: ARL Sundaresan, Additional Solicitor GeneralCase Title: M/s. KVN Productions LLP v. Central Board of Film Certification and anotherCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 24Case No: WP 380 of 2026 Click Here To Read/Download The Judgment

BREAKING| Madras High Court Directs CBFC To Forthwith Grant Film Certificate To Vijay Starrer 'Jana Nayagan' Movie

Upasana Sajeev

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