Jana Nayagan in Peril: Legal Action Considered as Censor Standoff Freezes Tamil Nadu Bookings
The anticipation for Thalapathy Vijay’s swan song, Jana Nayagan, has curdled into high-octane anxiety. With just 72 hours remaining before the scheduled January 9 global release, the film has yet to receive its official certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The delay has paralyzed the Tamil Nadu box office, forcing producers KVN Productions to consider moving the Madras High Court for immediate relief.
The “Invisible Barrier”: Politics or Protocol?
What started as a procedural delay has snowballed into a full-blown political controversy. The film, submitted for re-certification on December 30 after adhering to suggested cuts, remains in limbo.
On Monday evening, leaders from Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), escalated the issue. TVK Deputy General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar publicly accused the CBFC of deliberate sabotage, alleging that “invisible hands” and political adversaries are influencing the board to stall the release of the “future Chief Minister’s” film. “The board viewed the film on December 19. Corrections were made. Why is the certificate still withheld just 3 days before release?” questioned party cadres, hinting at a calculated move to dampen the opening weekend frenzy.
A Tale of Two Box Offices
The situation has created a bizarre paradox for the film’s business.
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Globally & Interstate: In territories like the USA, UK, Malaysia, and neighboring Kerala and Karnataka, bookings have opened to a thunderous response. Trade reports indicate the film has already grossed over ₹15 Crore in advance sales alone, setting new records for a Tamil film.
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Locally (Tamil Nadu): In its home turf, the situation is dire. Theater owners in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu have refused to open counter bookings without the physical Censor Certificate (CC). “We cannot schedule shows without the CC. If the certificate doesn’t come by tonight, we risk losing the crucial early morning show revenue,” stated a panicked exhibitor from a popular Chennai multiplex.
Legal Route: The Last Resort
Sources close to the production unit reveal that KVN Productions is no longer waiting passively. Legal teams are reportedly drafting a petition to be filed in the Madras High Court, seeking an emergency directive to the CBFC to issue the certificate. Simultaneously, Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi, scheduled for Jan 10, faces similar bureaucratic hurdles, leading to speculation that the delays might be systemic rather than targeted solely at Vijay.
The Final Countdown
The clock is ticking mercilessly. For Jana Nayagan to hit screens on Friday, the certificate must be issued within the next 24 hours to allow KDM (Key Delivery Message) keys to be generated for digital cinema projectors. If the standoff continues into Wednesday, the industry fears a logistical collapse that could force an unprecedented postponement—a scenario fans are refusing to accept.