The Madras High Court has recently intervened in the certification process of the much-awaited Tamil movie Jana Nayagan, starring popular actor Vijay. On January 27, 2026, a division bench led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan set aside a previous order by a single judge that directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a U/A certificate to the film.
Court Highlights Natural Justice Principles
The bench emphasized that the earlier decision did not respect the principles of natural justice. The single judge had ordered the CBFC to certify the movie without giving the board an opportunity to respond to complaints. The court noted that serious allegations were raised against the film, prompting the CBFC Chairperson to refer it for review. Because the single judge acted without allowing the CBFC to present its side, the decision was deemed premature.
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The court has sent the case back to the single judge for fresh consideration. KVN Productions, the movie’s production house, has been allowed to amend their writ petition. The bench advised that the producers must now challenge the Chairperson’s decision to send the film for review, rather than directly requesting certification.
CBFC Concerns and Complaint Details
The CBFC explained that a member of the examining committee had complained that his objections were not considered. These objections included concerns that some scenes could hurt religious sentiments and that certain sequences may portray the armed forces in a negative light. Based on this complaint, the CBFC referred the movie to the Revising Committee.
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Earlier, on January 9, the single judge had ruled in favor of the production house. The judge directed the CBFC to certify the movie immediately, criticizing the Chairperson’s decision to review the film after previously indicating it would be cleared. The court also noted that complaints from committee members should not be entertained once the committee has already recommended certification.
Division Bench Stays Single Judge Order
Following this, an urgent mention was made before the Chief Justice’s bench. On the same day, the division bench stayed the single judge’s order, ensuring that the CBFC review process could continue fairly. The court also criticized the producers for creating urgency, which appeared to pressure the judicial system.
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What’s Next for ‘Jana Nayagan’?
The court has asked the single judge to reconsider the matter after hearing from both the CBFC and the producers. KVN Productions will now need to formally challenge the Chairperson’s review decision. Only after this process can the movie’s certification be finalized. This movie is particularly significant as it is expected to be Vijay’s last film before his official entry into politics, adding extra attention to the legal proceedings.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
