Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Jana Nayagan faces fresh setback, on Tuesday, the Madras High Court has set aside the previous order by a single-judge directing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certification to Jana Nayagan. In the latest orders, the matter has been remitted for a fresh hearing. This order has overturned the previous order that was in favour of the producers of the film. The Jana Nayagan row started after CBFC kept the certification on hold for in-depth review, and this delay led to the makers of the film to approach the court.

During the hearing today, the bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan told the producers that the principles of justice were not followed in this case. In the order, the court asked the single bench to give enough opportunity to the Censor board to respond. Besides, the producers KVN Productions, are given the opportunity to amend the writ petition.

Is Vijay’s movie facing political pressure?

This movie would be actor Vijay’s final onscreen presence; he would be then after dedicating his full time to politics. Vijay had earlier during a political event said that he won’t bow down to pressure. He even called the upcoming elections as a “democratic war,” and his party wants to remain independent in this war. “We do not bow down to any pressure. Does this face look like it would succumb to pressure?” said Vijay.

During the hearing of the case Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran, Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai and Advocate Vijayan Subramaniam, who are representing KVN Productions have been arguing that the censor board first informed the makers that the film would get U/A certification after a few changes, but when the producers made the required changes, the board again sent the movie to revising committee.

Why was Jana Nayagan sent to the revising committee?

As per censor board, the movie was sent to the revising committee after one of the members of the examining committee filed a complaint that his objections were not considered, and those parts in the movie might hurt religious sentiments and even there is an inaccurate depiction of armed forces.

However, after all issues, on January 9, a single judge of the Madras High Court gave a decision in the production house’s favour, asking CBFC to grant a certificate at the earliest. In the previous order, the court had held the Chairperson of CBFC for going beyond their authority, even after informing that the movie would get a certificate, and sent it for further review. Besides, the single bench judge had criticised the board for accepting such complaints post recommendations were sent to makers.

Immediately after this ruling, an urgent mention was made before the bench presided by Chief Justice and the order was stayed. CJ even observed that the producers of the movie were trying to create “artificial urgency and exerting pressure on the judicial process.”

The division bench continued hearing the appeal on January 20. Appearing for the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan argued that the board had not been given sufficient time to file its counter affidavit. He also contended that the producers had not challenged the January 6 communication referring the film to the revising committee.

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