The Supreme Court will hear the petition moved by the makers of the much-anticipated 'Thalapathy' Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' on January 19. The film, which was slated for release on January 9, had to be postponed after the Central Bureau of Film Certification (CBFC) withheld its certificate.
Though a bench is yet to be assigned, according to the cause list of the apex court, the matter is likely to come up for hearing on January 19. The producers of Jana Nayagan, KVN Productions, approached the apex court after a two-member bench of the Madras High Court stayed a single bench's order granting relief.
On January 9, the Madras High Court stayed a single judge's order directing the CBFC to immediately grant a censor certificate to 'Jana Nayagan', leaving the fate of the much-anticipated Tamil film, said to be Vijay's last screen appearance, in limbo.
According to the makers, though the CBFC initially granted them a U/A certificate for the film, it was allegedly withheld after a member of the CBFC examining committee complained against clearing the film. The CBFC has reportedly referred the film to a revising committee.
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On January 9, a bench led by Justice P.T. Asha directed the CBFC to give clearance to 'Jana Nayagan', setting aside the film board's directive to refer the matter to a review committee. However, hours later, a bench comprising Chief Justice M.M. Shrivastava and G. Arul Murugan, on an appeal moved by the CBFC, granted an interim stay against the single judge's verdict. The bench had slated the matter again for hearing on January 21.
While the CBFC claims its actions were purely procedural, observers allege a political vendetta. Vijay, who recently launched his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), called the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) his ideological enemy. Meanwhile, the BJP is reportedly trying to make Vijay a part of its alliance in Tamil Nadu. The BJP believes Vijay's large fan base would add significant strength to the alliance.