Supreme Court snub shocks Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, release now in deep trouble

The apex court asked the filmmakers to approach the Madras High Court instead.

The producers had moved the Supreme Court challenging a Madras High Court interim order that stayed a single-judge directive asking the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a UA certificate to the film.

A division bench of the High Court has deferred further hearing in the matter until January 21, after the Pongal holidays, effectively putting the film’s release on hold.

The interim stay came hours after a single judge ordered the CBFC to issue a UA certificate following certain modifications by the filmmakers, while also criticising the board for entertaining complaints against the film and terming it a “dangerous trend.”

Soon after the order, the CBFC filed an appeal and sought an urgent hearing before a division bench the same day.

The film’s release, originally scheduled for January 9, was delayed after a complaint was submitted to the CBFC alleging that certain scenes hurt religious sentiments.

On January 7, KVN Productions announced the postponement of the release, citing “unavoidable circumstances beyond our control,” and assured audiences that a new release date would be announced soon.

Jana Nayagan, which also stars Bobby Deol and Pooja Hegde, was planned for a coordinated worldwide release, including in the US, UK, Malaysia and Canada.