Madras HC Deliberates on Vijay’s Jana Nayagan Censor Issue Amid Amazon’s Legal Threat

The Madras High Court recently heard the ongoing case involving KVN Productions and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regarding the censor certificate for Vijay's film, Jana Nayagan. The hearing took place on Tuesday, where the Additional Solicitor General, ARL Sundaresan, argued that the producers had not contested the CBFC's communication about sending the film to a revising committee.

During the session, it was noted that the producers had announced a January 9 release date for the film without securing the necessary certification. The ASG highlighted concerns about the ₹500 crore investment claim made by the producers, suggesting that the film would have been cleared had the legal proceedings not been initiated.

In response, Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran, representing KVN Productions, contended that the order regarding the film's review was not formally issued, which limited their ability to challenge it effectively. He stated that the producers only received what could be described as a mere communication, not an official order.

Furthermore, the producers revealed that they felt compelled to approach the court due to a lack of communication from the CBFC, particularly between December 25 and January 5. They also disclosed that Amazon had threatened legal action if clarity on the film's release date was not provided.

Chief Justice noted the urgency of the case and its potential to set a precedent for future disputes regarding film certifications. The hearing concluded with the bench reserving its orders after considering arguments from both parties.