Major setback for censor board; Madras HC orders to issue UA certificate for Vijay’s Jana Nayagan

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered the censor board to issue UA certificate for Vijay’s ilm Jana Nayagan.. The court also quashed the letter sent by the Censor Board Chairman to the film review committee. The film was scheduled to be released today.

Jana Nayagan is the last film of Tamil superstar Vijay, who entered active politics. The crisis arose when the censor board sent the film to the revising committee. In an unexpected move, the producers approached the Madras High Court.

Justice P T Asha, who considered the case, had orally asked the censor board to produce a copy of the complaint received alleging that the film hurts religious sentiments. The court action was on the plea filed by the producers, KVN Productions, alleging that the clearance was being unfairly delayed.

The producers had informed the court that the film deserved a UA certificate. The film has been cleared in 25 countries. The clearance is being delayed only in India. The film has been seen by the censor board. It was decided to send it to the revising committee following a complaint from a person who had not even seen the film. The producers also alleged that the procedures for sending it to the revising committee were not followed.

The censor board members watched the film on December 19. The censor board had recommended ten cuts for the film at that time. The producers had made the cuts and resubmitted the film for censoring. However, a new censor certificate was not issued to the film.