Vijay film Jana Nayagan postponed ‘due to unavoidable circumstances’: ‘New release date will be announced at the earliest’

KVN Productions, the production house behind Jana Nayagan, announced on Wednesday night that the Vijay-starrer “has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control.” The film was originally scheduled for release on January 9. The announcement came hours after the Madras High Court reserved its order on the plea filed by KVN Productions over the non-issuance of a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate for the political actioner.

In its statement, KVN Productions said the decision to postpone Jana Nayagan was not “an easy one.” The production house also shared that a new release will be announced soon.

The full statement read, “It is with a heavy heart that we share this update with our valued stakeholders and audiences. The release of Jana Nayagan, eagerly awaited on January 9, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control. We deeply understand the anticipation, excitement, and emotions surrounding this film, and this decision has not been an easy one for any of us. The new release date will be announced at the earliest. Until then, we humbly request your patience and continued love. Your unwavering support is our greatest strength and means everything to the entire Jana Nayagan team.”

Earlier today, the Madras High Court reserved its order on a petition seeking a direction to the CBFC to give a censor certificate under ‘UA 16+’ category to Vijay’s Jana Nayagan. The HC will most likely pronounce its order on the morning of January 9.

The makers of Jana Nayagan approached the High Court on January 6, citing an inordinate delay by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in granting certification. The court directed the CBFC to submit all relevant records, including the complaint raised against the film’s content, and adjourned the matter to Wednesday afternoon. The board also informed the court that a fresh committee had been constituted to re-examine the film.

When the case was taken up on Wednesday, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ARL Sundaresan, appearing for the CBFC, and senior advocate Satish Parasaran, representing the Jana Nayagan team, presented detailed arguments.

According to a report by Live Law, the ASG submitted that the CBFC chairperson has the authority to order a review even after the examining committee has already viewed the film. The court observed that once such a decision was taken, the board ought to have informed the filmmakers not to proceed with the changes earlier suggested. In response, the ASG stated that the regional office had been instructed to place the certification process on hold. He further argued that the film must now be examined by a fresh committee, noting that the individual who raised objections is a member of the board.

The ASG emphasised that if additional cuts or changes are required, they must be carried out strictly in accordance with the law. “The petitioner cannot approach the court and claim that once the board indicated it would grant certification, it cannot order a review,” he said. He added that the CBFC is entitled to take up to 15 days to examine a film and that a review committee need only be formed within 20 days of the decision to re-examine. “If something fundamentally wrong has been identified, should the board not be allowed to examine it?” he asked. The ASG also pointed out that the filmmakers applied for certification only on December 18 and clarified that the decision to order a review was not taken by the central government.

Advocate Parasaran, meanwhile, argued that one of the complaints alleged that the film hurt the sentiments of a minority community, and yet no member of that community was part of the original examining committee. On this basis, he contended that the CBFC must discharge its statutory duties strictly in accordance with the law.

After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Asha reserved the order, remarking that such complaints were “not healthy.”