CHENNAI – The much-anticipated release of Thalapathy Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, has been officially postponed from its scheduled January 9, 2026, date. The decision follows a tense legal battle at the Madras High Court regarding the issuance of a censor certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The film’s producer, KVN Productions LLP, announced the delay late Wednesday evening via X (formerly Twitter), citing “unavoidable circumstances beyond our control.”
The Legal Standoff at Madras High Court
On Wednesday, January 7, Justice PT Asha reserved her judgment on a writ petition filed by the producers against the CBFC’s delay. The court’s observations during the hearing have added weight to the producers’ claims of procedural irregularity.
- Reopening a Closed Case: The court questioned why the CBFC Chairperson referred the film to a Revising Committee on January 5, after the Examining Committee had already cleared it with 27 cuts (which the producers had already implemented).
- The “Secret” Complaint: It was revealed in court that the certification was stalled based on a complaint from one of the members of the Examining Committee themselves. The judge expressed visible disapproval, asking how a single member’s objection could override a majority decision after the recommendations were formally recorded.
- Lack of Transparency: Senior counsel Satish Parasaran pointed out that the CBFC did not inform the producers of the complaint’s details or the complainant’s identity until the court hearing, despite nearly ₹500 crore being at stake.
CBFC’s Defense
Representing the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General A R L Sundaresan argued that the Chairperson has the statutory power under Rule 23(14) of the Cinematograph Certification Rules to review any film suo motu or based on complaints before a final certificate is issued. The board cited concerns regarding:
- Portrayal of the Armed Forces (emblems and uniforms).
- Scenes that allegedly “hurt religious sentiments.”
Impact on the Global Release
As the Tamil version acts as the “master” for all other certifications, the delay has triggered a domino effect across all markets.
| Region/Version | Current Status |
| Tamil Nadu / India | Postponed indefinitely; awaiting HC verdict. |
| UK / Europe | Postponed (Distributed by Ahimsa Entertainment). |
| Malaysia | Postponed (Distributed by Malik Streams Corporation). |
| Dubbed Versions | Hindi (Jana Neta), Telugu, and Kannada versions on hold. |
The Fan Frenzy and Financial Stakes
The postponement has sent ripples through the trade circuit. Advance bookings, which had seen tickets sold for as high as ₹5,000 in the black market and ₹2,000 in Bengaluru, are being suspended or refunded. With a planned release across 5,000 screens worldwide, the delay is estimated to cause significant daily interest losses for the production house.