New Delhi | 15 January 2026

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear an urgent plea seeking censor board clearance for the Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring actor Vijay. The apex court directed the producers to approach the Madras High Court for appropriate relief and asked the High Court to decide the matter by January 20, leaving the film’s release uncertain.

The plea was filed by KVN Productions LLP after the Madras High Court’s division bench stayed an earlier single-judge order that had instructed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately issue a censor certificate. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, observing that the matter was already under consideration before the High Court.

Earlier on January 9, a single judge of the Madras High Court had set aside the CBFC’s decision to refer the film to a review committee and directed the board to grant certification. However, within hours, a division bench comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, acting on an appeal by the CBFC, put an interim stay on that order, effectively halting the certification process.

Jana Nayagan has remained in the spotlight due to its alleged political undertones, particularly as it is being promoted as Vijay’s last film before his full-time entry into politics. The actor recently launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The film was scheduled for a Pongal release on January 9, but ongoing legal proceedings have now cast uncertainty over its release timeline.

‘Jana Nayagan’ Controversy: Supreme Court Declines Urgent CBFC Clearance, Directs Producers to Madras High Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain an urgent plea seeking censor board clearance for Tamil superstar Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan. The apex court directed the film’s producers to approach the Madras High Court for relief and asked the High Court to decide the matter by January 20, leaving the film’s release uncertain for now.

The petition was filed by KVN Productions LLP after the Madras High Court’s division bench stayed an earlier single-judge order that had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately issue a censor certificate. The Supreme Court declined to intervene at this stage, stating that the producers should pursue their case before the appropriate forum.

Earlier, on January 9, the Madras High Court’s single bench had set aside the CBFC’s decision to refer the film to a review committee and ordered the board to grant certification. However, hours later, a division bench comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, acting on an appeal filed by the CBFC, put an interim stay on that order, effectively halting the clearance process.

Jana Nayagan has drawn significant attention due to its perceived political undertones, especially as it is being promoted as Vijay’s final film before his full-time entry into politics. The actor recently launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The film was scheduled for a Pongal release on January 9, but ongoing legal hurdles have pushed its fate into uncertainty.