The legal tussle between the makers of Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is set to enter its next phase, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday.

The Vijay-starrer, which was originally slated for release on January 9, could not hit theatres after the CBFC withheld its certification. Aggrieved by the delay, the film’s producers, KVN Productions LLP, moved a writ petition against the non-issuance of the certificate.

Jana Nayagan was submitted to the CBFC for certification on December 24. The examining committee recommended a U/A 16+ certificate, subject to 27 modifications. The makers agreed to all the suggested changes. However, on January 5, the CBFC chairperson referred the film to a Revising Committee, citing a complaint that had been received.

Justice P.T. Asha of the Madras High Court heard arguments from both sides and reserved her order, stating that the decision would be pronounced on the proposed release date, leading to an initial delay. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan, appearing for the CBFC, informed the court that the certification process was reopened after a dissenting member of the examining committee submitted a complaint to the CBFC chairperson. The member alleged that his objections were not properly recorded, prompting the referral to the Revising Committee.

While the CBFC maintained that the chairperson acted within his authority, the single judge directed the board to grant certification to the film. The court observed that once the certificate had been granted, the subsequent decision to constitute a Revising Committee was “without jurisdiction.” The judge further remarked that, upon examining the material, it was “crystal clear that the complainant’s grievance appears to be an afterthought.”

Challenging the order, the CBFC filed an appeal, stating that it had insufficient time to submit its response. Acting on the appeal, a division bench stayed the earlier directive, effectively putting the film’s clearance on hold.

The matter is now slated to be heard by the Madras High Court on January 20 after the Pongal holidays, while the Supreme Court is set to take up the plea on Thursday. Notably, Jana Nayagan is expected to be Vijay’s final film before his formal entry into politics.