In a dramatic turn of events surrounding the release of actor Vijay's highly anticipated film, "Jana Nayagan," the film's producer, Venkat K Narayana of KVN Productions, has publicly stated that Vijay "deserves a farewell he has truly earned" amidst the ongoing legal battle over the film's certification. This statement comes in the wake of the Madras High Court's stay on a previous order that directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a U/A certificate to the film.
"Jana Nayagan," directed by H. Vinoth, is widely speculated to be Vijay's last film before he transitions into full-time politics with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The film, a political action thriller, was originally slated for a worldwide release on January 9, 2026. However, the release was postponed due to "unavoidable circumstances beyond our control," primarily stemming from delays in obtaining the necessary certification from the CBFC.
The film was submitted for certification on December 18, 2025. Following a review, the Examining Committee recommended a UA 16+ certificate, subject to certain excisions, citing violence, fight sequences, gory visuals, and brief religious references. The producers complied with the suggested modifications, submitting a revised version on December 24, 2025. Verification of these changes occurred on December 29, and the producers were initially informed that the certificate would be granted.
However, on January 5, 2026, the producers received an email stating that the film was being referred to a Revising Committee under Rule 24 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, based on a complaint alleging improper portrayal of the armed forces and potential offense to religious sentiments. This led the producers to approach the Madras High Court, alleging undue delay by the CBFC.
On Friday, January 9, 2026, a single judge of the Madras High Court directed the CBFC to immediately issue the U/A 16+ certificate. However, this order was swiftly stayed by a Division Bench of the same court, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan, following an urgent appeal filed by the CBFC. The Division Bench cited that the Central government had not been given adequate time to file its response. The court also criticized the filmmakers for fixing a release date before obtaining the certificate, stating that they should have waited and not put pressure on the system.
In a video message, producer Venkat K Narayana apologized to fans, distributors, exhibitors, and other stakeholders for the delay. He described the situation as "extremely difficult" and "emotionally draining," emphasizing the years of hard work put in by the entire team. Narayana expressed his full faith in the judiciary system and hoped for a swift resolution, allowing "Jana Nayagan" to reach the big screen at the earliest. He also acknowledged Vijay's decades-long contribution to the film industry, stating that the actor deserves a dignified and celebratory farewell.
The Madras High Court has scheduled the next hearing for January 21, 2026, leaving the film's release in a state of uncertainty. The production team is reportedly considering filing an appeal in the Supreme Court. In the meantime, several actors from the Tamil film industry have voiced their support for Vijay.
