Jana Nayagan Producers File Urgent Petition in Madras High Court Over Delayed Censor Certification
Chennai, January 6, 2026 — The producers of Jana Nayagan, the highly anticipated Tamil political action thriller starring Thalapathy Vijay in what is billed as his final film appearance before entering politics, have approached the Madras High Court seeking expedited issuance of a censor certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).An urgent petition was filed on behalf of KVN Productions, the film’s banner led by producer Venkat K Narayana, amid reports of prolonged delays in granting certification despite the film reportedly completing the review process and complying with suggested modifications.
The Madras High Court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for 2:15 PM today, with the outcome potentially determining whether the movie proceeds with its planned theatrical release on January 9, 2026, during the Pongal festival.Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan (translating to “People’s Hero”) features Vijay in the lead role alongside Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, and Narain. The film, with music by Anirudh Ravichander, is positioned as a pan-India release, including dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.The CBFC reportedly viewed the film on December 19, 2025, and recommended minor edits, including dialogue modifications and cuts, which the makers claim to have implemented promptly.
However, the final certificate remains pending, sparking concerns over advance ticket bookings, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where theatres have delayed opening sales pending official clearance.The delay has also fueled speculation and allegations of deliberate obstruction, with some industry voices and supporters of Vijay’s political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), suggesting political motivations behind the hold-up. TVK Deputy General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar has publicly questioned the CBFC’s timeline, warning of further action if certification is not forthcoming.This comes as Jana Nayagan gears up for a high-profile clash with Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi, scheduled for release a day later on January 10.
Advance bookings have already commenced in overseas markets, Karnataka, and Kerala, generating strong early interest, but the absence of certification has created uncertainty for exhibitors and fans in key regions.The film’s significance is heightened by its timing, marking Vijay’s cinematic swansong ahead of his full-time political engagement in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
All eyes remain on today’s court proceedings, which could provide much-needed clarity and pave the way for the film’s timely release.
Written by Founding Editor Samaran
Worldnow.co
