Madras HC stays order on censor clearance for ‘Jana Nayagan’

The Madras High Court on Friday stayed a single judge’s direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately grant a censor certificate to the film Jana Nayagan, placing the release of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s movie in uncertainty.

The interim stay was granted by a division bench comprising Chief Justice M. M. Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan while hearing an appeal filed by the CBFC against the earlier order.

Earlier in the day, Justice P. T. Asha had directed the film certification body to issue the censor certificate to Jana Nayagan, setting aside the CBFC’s decision to refer the film to a review committee. The single judge observed that the referral was not justified and ordered immediate certification.

However, the division bench intervened within hours, granting interim relief to the CBFC and staying the operation of the single judge’s order until further hearing.

Jana Nayagan, which has attracted attention for its perceived political undertones, stars Vijay, whose recent political entry has added to the film’s public and legal scrutiny. With the stay in place, the film’s certification and release now await further orders from the High Court.