The producers of Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan referenced Dhurandhar 2 during the hearing at the Madras High Court yesterday. When the bench inquired
about KVN Productions announcing Jana Nayagan release date without obtaining a censor certificate from the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC), their attorney Satish Parasaran replied that this is a typical practice within the film sector. Citing Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar 2 as an example, the senior lawyer noted that even the Aditya Dhar film revealed its release date prior to acquiring a censor certificate.
What Did the Lawyer for Jana Nayagan Inform the High Court
Responding to the concerns raised by the Madras High Court, KVN Productions' senior counsel asserted that it is not uncommon for a film's release date to be announced before the censor certificate is obtained. He elaborated that producers from various sectors frequently set and announce release dates while the certification process is ongoing.
To bolster his case, Parasaran mentioned Dhurandhar 2, highlighting that the sequel had already confirmed a March 19 release even though it did not have its CBFC approval at the time of the announcement.
He further explained that films, particularly major projects, function on strict timelines that involve distributors, exhibitors, and promotional obligations. He argued that expecting producers to delay their release plans until certification is finalized would disrupt the entire release schedule and marketing approach.
How the Censor Controversy Surrounding Jana Nayagan Intensified
The issue traces back to Jana Nayagan being announced as a Pongal release on January 9. Directed by H Vinoth, this film is notable as it represents Thalapathy Vijay’s last movie before his full political involvement. However, just days prior to its release, the CBFC notified the producers that the chairman had opted to refer the film to a revising committee, causing a delay in certification.
This led KVN Productions to seek intervention from the Madras High Court. Initially, Justice PT Asha instructed the CBFC to promptly issue a U/A 16+ certificate. However, a division bench later stayed this order following an urgent request from the CBFC, resulting in additional hearings.
The producers then appealed to the Supreme Court, but the apex court directed the High Court to expedite the resolution of the issue. After extensive discussions, the Madras High Court has now reserved its ruling, leaving the film's release schedule in limbo.
Featuring Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, and Narain, Jana Nayagan is still awaiting definitive clarity regarding its censor status.
