Kamal Haasan Calls for Film Certification Reform Amid Vijay's Jana Nayagan CBFC Row

The Jana Nayagan certification row, which has been making headlines over the past few days, has drawn a strong reaction from veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan. Thalapathy Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, was scheduled for a worldwide release on January 9 but was postponed due to a certification delay with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), leaving fans, producers, and distributors disappointed. Adding to the setback, legal proceedings at the Madras High Court emerged as another hurdle for both fans and the film’s makers. Following the court’s decision to postpone the hearing to January 21, Kamal Haasan penned a detailed note calling for meaningful reforms in film certification. He stressed that India’s Constitution guarantees

freedom of expression and that cinema, as a collective art form, deserves transparency, respect, and timely processes. His remarks also come a day after the CBFC ordered 21 cuts to Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi, which released on January 10.

Kamal Haasan Appeals for Certification Reform Amid Jana Nayagan CBFC Row

In his note, Kamal Haasan stated that delays and lack of clarity in film certification restrict creativity, disrupt livelihoods, and weaken public trust. Emphasising the need for reform, he called for a principled review of the certification process. His post read: “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. Cinema is not the labour of an individual alone but the collective effort of an ecosystem of writers, technicians, performers, exhibitors, and small businesses whose livelihoods depend on a fair and timely process."

He also 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. What is required now is a principled relook at certification processes with defined timelines, transparent evaluation, and written, reasoned justification for every suggested cut or edit.”

Kamal Haasan Speaks About Creative Freedom Amid Vijay's Jana Nayagan CBFC Row

He further appealed to the film industry to unite and engage constructively with government institutions to safeguard creative freedom, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen democratic trust in artists and citizens. He added, “Such reform will safeguard creative freedom, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen India’s democratic institutions by affirming trust in its artists and its people.”

Although the Madras High Court has granted a U/A certificate to Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, the case continues on the legal front after a committee member reportedly filed a complaint against the makers over alleged religious references and violence in the film. The judge observed that members retracting their own certification recommendations could set a “dangerous trend.”Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan features Thalapathy Vijay in the role of a police officer. The film also stars Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priyamani, Prakash Raj, Sunil, and Nassar in key roles, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.