Jana Nayagan Legal Battle: Madras High Court to Hear Case Withdrawal

The producers of the Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan', featuring actor Vijay, are set to withdraw their legal petition against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) amid ongoing discussions regarding its certification. A letter indicating their decision was submitted to the Madras High Court registry, expressing their intent to take the film to a revising committee instead of continuing with the lawsuit.

This significant update follows a turbulent legal journey for the production company, KVN Productions. Initially, the film was scheduled for release on January 9, 2026, but faced delays due to complications with its certification. The CBFC had initially screened the film on December 19, 2025, and communicated a willingness to issue a “U/A” certificate, contingent upon certain modifications.

Despite implementing the recommended edits, the situation escalated when a complaint was lodged by a member of the CBFC's examining committee, raising concerns about the film's content, which purportedly highlights foreign influence on religious tensions in India. The complaint stated that these themes could potentially disturb social harmony. As a result, the CBFC opted to send the film for a secondary review, freezing its previous certification.

On January 6, 2026, the CBFC's decision to refer the film for a revising committee evaluation was officially publicised, prompting KVN Productions to file a writ petition in the High Court. They sought a court directive to compel the CBFC to issue the certification promptly. However, legal proceedings took a further turn when a division bench of the Madras High Court placed a stay on the single judge’s order favouring KVN Productions, criticising them for exerting undue pressure on the judiciary.

Following this legal turmoil, the producers have now determined to withdraw their petition, with the matter scheduled to be heard by Justice P.T. Asha on February 10, 2026, specifically for withdrawal. The producers will instead pursue the revised evaluation process as recommended by the CBFC.

This film is intended to be a crucial project for Vijay as he prepares for a political career. The legal disputes surrounding its release have underscored the intersection of cinematic expression and regulatory scrutiny in India’s film industry. The resolution of this case will likely set a precedent for how similar issues are handled in the future.