Producers of Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan withdraw case against CBFC in Madras HC

After weeks of legal confrontation and public debate, the producers of Jana Nayagan , the much‑anticipated Tamil film starring actor‑turned‑politician Vijay, have formally withdrawn their petition against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in the Madras High Court . The decision, announced on Tuesday, marks a pivotal shift from courtroom battles back to the statutory certification process.

The film was originally set for a January 9, 2026 release , timed for the Pongal festival, but a series of certification hurdles derailed those plans. After the production house, KVN Productions , submitted the movie to the CBFC on December 18, 2025 , a five‑member examining committee recommended a U/A certificate with minor edits. The producers implemented those changes and resubmitted the film by December 24 .

However, a complaint from one of the examining committee’s own members - alleging that the movie contained references that could “disturb religious harmony” and included portrayals related to the armed forces without proper review - prompted CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi to refer the film to a higher revising committee . This move effectively put the certification on hold and triggered the legal challenge in the High Court.

Initially, a single‑judge bench directed the board to issue the certificate, but a larger division bench set aside that order , emphasizing that such content required further examination due to its sensitive themes.

Faced with prolonged legal uncertainty, mounting financial pressures and distribution complications , the producers chose to withdraw the writ petition rather than continue a lengthy court battle. Industry analysts believe the withdrawal is a strategic move to allow the revising committee to complete its review and expedite certification, which remains the only pathway to a theatrical release.

As of now, Jana Nayagan has not yet been granted its formal censor certificate . It is currently under review by the CBFC revising committee , and the theatrical release remains contingent on that outcome. While the makers are yet to announce an official date, speculation in trade circles points to a potential late‑February release, possibly around February 20 , if the certification is completed smoothly.

For fans, the film carries additional weight as it is widely regarded as Vijay’s final acting project before fully committing to his political career.