The Madras High Court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a U/A certificate to Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan forthwith on Friday. This decision comes after two days of high drama as the makers had to postpone the film’s release amid delay in getting CBFC certification. Its original release date was January 9.
Justice PT Asha said, “After examining materials, it is crystal clear that the complainant’s grievance appears to be an afterthought.” The court added, “Exercise of power by chairperson is without jurisdiction since the power of chairperson to send for review stood abdicated after he, on behalf of committee informed that UA certificate would be granted subject to incisions.” The court added that entertaining such complaints would give way to a “dangerous trend.”
Jana Nayagan is touted to be Vijay’s last film before he takes plunge into politics with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The film was submitted to the CBFC on December 18. The makers were asked to make 27 cuts in the film and following those directives, they made the necessary changes and resubmitted the film. However, they did not get the certificate as CBFC said it needed to send the film for another review.
Now that the court has ruled in favour of the makers. It is yet to be seen when the film will hit the theatres now.
On Wednesday, the Madras HC reserved its order on the petition by KVN Productions which challenged the CBFC’s decision to withhold a censor certificate. Previously, an examining committee of five members watched the film on December 19 and recommended a U/A certificate for the film, subject to certain changes. Later, one member of the committee wrote to the chairperson of CBFC claiming that their objections had not been appropriately addressed. After this, the chairperson decided to refer the film to a revising committee.
Out of the five members who viewed the film in the examining committee, four had favoured the certification of the film after the said 27 cuts were implemented, which as per the production house, were done by the makers. The lawyer representing KVN Productions also questioned why they were not informed about the nature of the complaint raised by the fifth member, or the identity of that member. As per PTI, Justice PT Asha, on Tuesday, had orally asked the CBFC to produce a copy of the “complaint” that claimed the film “hurts religious sentiments.”
They claimed that the production house had invested close to Rs 500 crore in the film and were betting big on the Pongal weekend. (The Indian Express)
