Jan Nayakan Release Uncertain as Madras High Court Reserves Verdict
The release of Vijay Thalapathy’s final film Jan Nayakan remains uncertain after the Madras High Court reserved its verdict on the CBFC certification dispute on Tuesday.
Vijay Thalapathy’s Final Film Stuck in Certification Row
Chennai: The release of Jan Nayakan, touted as actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy’s last film, continues to hang in the balance. The Madras High Court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, reserved its verdict after hearing arguments related to the film’s stalled certification. The film was scheduled to hit theatres on January 9, but failed to do so after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) did not issue a clearance in time.
How the Dispute Began
After completing post-production, the makers of Jan Nayakan submitted the film to the CBFC for certification. The Examining Committee reportedly suggested 14 cuts, which the producers opposed. According to the makers, the film has been unfairly held back on the grounds of being politically or socially sensitive. With no resolution at the board level, the matter was taken to the Madras High Court.
Legal Journey So Far
On January 9, a single judge of the Madras High Court directed the CBFC to grant the film a U/A certificate. However, the certification body challenged the order, following which a division bench stayed the directive. The producers then approached the Supreme Court against the interim stay, but the apex court declined to interfere. The case subsequently returned to the Madras High Court’s division bench for detailed hearing.
What Happened During Tuesday’s Hearing
A bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan heard the CBFC’s appeal at length. Senior advocate Satish Parasaran, appearing for KVN Productions, argued that Jan Nayakan has already received clearance in 22 countries and questioned why its theatrical release in India was being delayed. He also submitted that announcing a release date before certification is a common industry practice.
Why ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Was Cited
The producers cited the example of Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Dhurandhar 2, whose release date has been announced despite the certification process not being fully completed. The argument was aimed at showing that Jan Nayakan was being subjected to stricter standards. The court noted the submission but did not make any specific observations on the comparison.
Prime Video Pressure and Financial Stakes
During the hearing, the producers also flagged pressure from streaming partner Amazon Prime Video. According to the submission, Prime Video had warned of possible legal action if there was no clarity on the film’s release by December 31, 2025. With the release still uncertain, the producers said the risk of litigation remains. They further claimed that continued delay could result in losses amounting to nearly ₹500 crore.
CBFC’s Stand in Court
Representing the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General Sundaresan told the court that the board was not given adequate opportunity to file its response in earlier proceedings. He argued that a communication sent on January 6 was never formally challenged and that the 14 suggested cuts are still under consideration. According to the CBFC, the chairperson is yet to take a final call, making any direction to issue a U/A certificate premature.
Additional Solicitor General Sundaresan, appearing for the CBFC, told the court:
“The certification process is not yet complete. The recommendations of the Examining Committee are still under consideration, and it would be inappropriate to pressurise the board at this stage.”
With the Madras High Court reserving its verdict, uncertainty surrounding Jan Nayakan has only deepened. The final order will determine whether Vijay Thalapathy’s last on-screen appearance reaches theatres soon or remains entangled in legal and certification hurdles. The outcome is also expected to have wider implications for how politically or socially sensitive films are examined and cleared in the future.
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