New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thalapathy Vijay‘s last film, Jana Nayagan, has finally been granted the Central Board of Film Certification, after
a months-long legal battle, pending clearance from the censor board, and several delays.
The film has been issued an ‘A’ (Adult) certificate, bringing the longest and most controversial censor process for a Tamil film to an end.
What are the cuts and changes in Jana Nayagan?
There have been a total of 12 changes or cuts in the film, as ordered by the censor board. Some of the cuts include, the modification of the visuals where Dr Ambedkar is shown on the cover page of the book, the replacement of the dialogue ‘Ambedkar Sattam’ to ‘TVK sattam,and removal of the usage of ‘TVK’ in audio and video. The audio where TVK is used is also muted and modified by the CBFC.
Other changes include deletion of the visuals of the Indian flag falling on the ground, muted the words ‘Bhagavatham’,’Ranganathar’, ‘Thevidiya Paiya’ and ‘Oththa’.
The censor board also directed the makers to remove the word ‘OM’ and ‘New India’ while explaining Operation Meluha. The word ‘ ‘Thookula thudikiratha…avanae mediala leak panno’ in connection with hanging of Shri Shaddam has also been muted.
The makers were also asked to remove and place the visual where DC’s office badge/cigil is rolled down disrespectfully, mute the whole dialogue ‘Ponnoda…kuduthu vachirukkanum, Udambu erukkunnu, and muted the words ‘India en kalla vizha Vaikaren (India is keeping an eye on me)’. Additionally, deleted and replaced the child burning visuals, muted the word ‘Siluvaila’, and replaced the name ‘Sheela Rani’ wherever used.
Jana Nayagan runtime
The film, Jana Nayagan’s total runtime is 3 hours and 3 minutes after all the cuts and modifications. The film is slated to release in theatres on July 24.
About Jana Nayagan controversy
The film was initially scheduled to release on January 9, 2026, ahead of the Pongal festivities. The film was submitted to the CBFC on December 19, 2025, but instead of getting a clearance, the film got stuck with an unusual approval process.
The committee initially asked the makers to implement a few changes in the film. After requested changes were made and the film was resubmitted, the producers said that they had been informed that the film was considered suitable for a U/A certificate.
The film then hit another roadblock after a member of the examining committee claimed that certain scenes in the film could hurt public sentiments. Following his complaint, the process came to a standstill. In another report, it was said that the film could influence Vijay’s political prospects.
In January, KVN Productions moved the Madras High Court, seeking directions to expedite the certification process. However, the delay kept on stretching for months, and producers argued before the court that the prolonged wait had put the film’s release in limbo.
After nearly a month and proceedings in the Supreme Court, KVN Productions eventually withdrew their petition and opted to send the film to the revising committee.
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