'Jana Nayagan' suffers another setback; No release in sight for Vijay's swansong movie

CHENNAI: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kaazhagam leader Vijay suffered yet another setback related to the release of his movie ‘Jana Nayagan’. The Madras High Court denied permission for the release of the film. The High Court order is on the appeal of the Censor Board. The Division Bench also set aside the single bench order related to the release. The order was made in recognition of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)'s petition that they were not allowed enough time to file a counter-affidavit.

The Supreme Court had earlier not considered the petition filed by the producers against the Madras High Court order staying the release of the film. The bench headed by Justice Dipankar Dutta had directed them to approach the Division Bench of the Madras High Court. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the producers, KVN Productions, had filed an appeal seeking urgent censor board certification.

The Supreme Court had not considered the petition, stating that the Division Bench of the Madras High Court would consider the petition on January 20 after the Pongal vacation and cited no immediacy to consider the petition at this stage.

Jana Nayagan is considered to be actor Vijaya’s swansong before he makes his switch permanent to politics. On January 9, a single bench of the Madras High Court granted permission to release Jana Nayagan with U/A certificate. Justice PT Asha issued this order. The single bench had also overturned the decision of the Censor Board Chairman to send the film to the revising committee. However, on the appeal of the Censor Board, the division bench of the High Court stayed the release of the film that evening. The producers then approached the Supreme Court.