Thalapathy Vijay’s final film Jana Nayagan remains stuck in uncertainty as it has now been sent to the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) revising committee. The move comes after weeks of legal tension between the film’s makers and the censor body, leaving fans anxious about the fate of the much-awaited release.
According to sources, the decision to approach the revising committee was taken by the producers, KVN Productions. On Monday evening, producer KL Narayana submitted a letter to the Madras High Court Registry seeking to withdraw the writ petition filed against the CBFC. The matter is listed for hearing on February 10 at 10.30 am.
This legal backtrack has triggered fresh buzz around the film’s release timeline, although clarity is still missing.
February Release Buzz Grows, But Silence Continues
After the latest developments, reports suggest that the makers may be targeting a February release for Jana Nayagan. However, there has been no official confirmation from the production house so far. The CBFC has also remained tight-lipped about the revising committee process and timelines.
Fans are growing restless as the delay stretches on. Jana Nayagan was originally slated to release in theatres on January 9. The release was postponed indefinitely after the film failed to receive its censor certificate on time. With every delay, expectations continue to rise, especially since the film marks Thalapathy Vijay’s final outing before his full-time political entry.
Jana Nayagan Delay Explained: Why CBFC Ordered A Revising Committee
The reasons behind the Jana Nayagan delay surfaced during court hearings. Legal counsel representing the CBFC informed the court that the chairman withheld the certificate after a board member filed an internal complaint. The submission claimed that certain dialogues in the film could damage or hurt religious sentiments.
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The complaint also flagged the use of Armed Forces emblems in the film without oversight from a defence expert, which is mandatory under CBFC rules. Following this, the film was referred to a revising committee for a fresh review.
So, what does this process involve?
As per CBFC guidelines, a revising committee is formed when filmmakers are dissatisfied with the decision of the examining committee. The panel includes the CBFC Chairperson, or a board member in their absence, along with nine advisory panel members. None of them can be part of the original examining committee.
Each member watches the complete film without any cuts and records their verdict independently. The final decision is taken through a majority vote. In case of a tie, the presiding officer casts the deciding vote. If the Chairperson’s view differs from the majority, the film can even be sent to another revising committee.
Once a decision is reached, the makers must carry out the suggested changes and submit the revised version to the regional officer. In Jana Nayagan’s case, the revising committee is expected to include a defence expert due to the nature of the objections raised.
CBFC Refuses To Share Update On Jana Nayagan Delay
The CBFC has refused to share any updates on the certification status. CBFC Regional Officer D Balamurali told The Hindu on February 2, “All our examination process is confidential. We cannot reveal anything until a certificate is issued. The law prohibits sharing of any such information.”
The legal battle began on January 6 when the makers moved the Madras High Court over the non-issuance of the censor certificate. On January 9, a single judge directed the CBFC to certify the film with a U/A 16+ certificate. However, the case escalated after further legal challenges, eventually leading to the decision to approach the revising committee.
For now, Jana Nayagan remains in limbo, with fans hoping for a positive outcome that finally clears the way for Thalapathy Vijay’s final film to reach theatres.
Apart from Vijay, the film also stars Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju and other actors in important roles,
