{"id":"f-73cd9b4b27-7eef719c-3883-5b3d-92ae-029b598e9182","title":"Kamal Haasan demands CBFC reforms over Jana Nayagan censorship row","description":"Kamal Haasan blasts CBFC delays on Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, calling it bigger than one film. “Cinema lovers deserve respect,” he urges reforms for transparency. Courts intervene amid chaos—Pongal dreams dashed as industry unites for creative freedom.","timestamp":1768225670,"category":"entertainment","headline":"Kamal Haasan demands CBFC reforms over Jana Nayagan censorship row","modifiedHeadline":"Kamal Haasan Wants CBFC Reform After Film Ban","subCategories":["scid_3a9e78aa"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"40d6d7d2-0b24-4af4-8a0e-be3b0c670bf7","bundleTitle":"Movie Masala","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"324","fcSummary":"Kamal Haasan criticizes CBFC delays for Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, citing constitutional rights and economic impact. A producer revealed the film's certification was delayed despite initial approval. The court case continues amid industry calls for transparent reforms.","summary":"Kamal Haasan slams CBFC for Vijay film delay, calling for reform. Pongal release hopes dashed amid court battles, igniting industry outrage.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/astrology/IN/en/news9/f-73cd9b4b27-7eef719c-3883-5b3d-92ae-029b598e9182","sourceUrl":"https://www.news9live.com/entertainment/kamal-haasan-demands-cbfc-reforms-over-jana-nayagan-censorship-row-2918525","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/Dmyoa0kyQDC0.webp","content":"

New Delhi: Kamal Haasan ignites fiery debate over Vijay’s Jana Nayagan censor chaos. As Pongal buzz peaks, CBFC delays threaten massive losses—will courts

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save the day?

The veteran star slams opacity in certification, urging reforms for art’s sake. Fans rage online: Is this an attack on free speech or fair scrutiny? Dive into the escalating Tamil cinema storm shaking Chennai courts.

Kamal’s strong statement

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Actor-politician Kamal Haasan voiced sharp criticism of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) delays plaguing Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan. Posting a note on his official letterhead as Rajya Sabha MP on social media, he captioned it “For Art, For Artists, For the Constitution.” He wrote, “India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, guided by reason, never diminished by opacity. This moment is larger than any one film; it reflects the space we accord art and artists in a constitutional democracy.”

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Kamal stressed cinema’s broad impact, stating that the actor pointed out that cinema is a labour not just of an individual, but of an ecosystem consisting of writers, technicians, performers, exhibitors, and small businesses who depend on it for their livelihood. He added, “When clarity is absent, creativity is constrained, economic activity is disrupted, and public trust is weakened. Tamil Nadu and India’s cinema lovers bring passion, discernment, and maturity to the arts; they deserve openness and respect.”

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Censor battle timeline

Producer Venkat K Narayana of KVN Productions revealed that the examining committee viewed Jana Nayagan in December and emailed UA 16+ certification approval. But on January 5, just days before the January 9 Pongal release, CBFC sent it to a revising committee, forcing postponement. The team rushed to Madras High Court; on January 6-7 hearings, a judge ordered CBFC to issue certification immediately.

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CBFC challenged this, securing an interim stay from a division bench. The next hearing is January 21, dashing Pongal hopes for the high-stakes film boasting a Rs 500 crore budget and a massive Malaysia audio launch with 75,000 fans. Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan marks Vijay’s last acting gig before his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) election plunge.

Calls for reform

Kamal demanded a “principled relook” at certification, pushing for defined timelines, transparent evaluation, and written, reasoned justification for cuts or modifications. He urged, “Such reform will safeguard creative freedom, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen India’s democratic institutions by affirming trust in its artists and its people.” He called on the film industry to unite for meaningful dialogue with the government.

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Support swells from peers like Ram Gopal Varma, who slammed CBFC as outdated, and Mari Selvaraj, labelling the delay “injustice.” Pa Ranjith condemned the aggressive suppression of dissenting voices. Sivakarthikeyan shared similar woes with his film Parasakthi, noting that last-minute cuts left no time for context explanations. This saga spotlights Tamil cinema’s certification frustrations amid Vijay’s political rise.

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Kamal Haasan demands CBFC reforms over Jana Nayagan censorship row

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