CBFC vs Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ Turns Dramatic in Madras High Court as Makers Cite ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Release Date Row

By ultapaltakhabar Jan 21, 2026 0

KVN Productions questions CBFC’s logic on announcing release dates without certification, sparks Bollywood-wide debate as Dhurandhar 2 becomes the courtroom example.

The legal drama surrounding Vijay’s much-awaited political-action film “Jana Nayagan” just took a blockbuster turn in the Madras High Court — and this time, a Bollywood heavyweight got dragged into the conversation. During Tuesday’s hearing between the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and Jana Nayagan producers KVN Productions, the makers shocked the courtroom by citing Ranveer Singh’s “Dhurandhar 2” as a prime example of how films routinely announce release dates without certification.

What was expected to be a dry procedural hearing suddenly turned into a fiery industry-wide debate about film release practices, censorship timelines, and whether the CBFC is selectively enforcing its rules.

The court has currently stayed the order, ensuring the controversy remains very much alive.

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What Triggered the Jana Nayagan Controversy?

The controversy began when the CBFC questioned why KVN Productions had publicly announced January 9 as Jana Nayagan’s release date even before receiving certification.

According to the CBFC, fixing a release date without certification is improper and creates unnecessary pressure on the board to fast-track approvals. The board argued that the producers were attempting to corner the certification authority by announcing the date and then claiming massive financial losses if certification was delayed.

Representing the CBFC, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan told the bench that the producers had earlier claimed a potential loss of ₹500 crore if certification was delayed — an argument that emerged only after the release date had already been announced.

The ASG maintained that producers should wait for certification before locking release calendars.

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Producers Fire Back: “No One Follows That Rule”

KVN Productions was represented by Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran, who aggressively pushed back against the CBFC’s stance.

When the Chief Justice questioned how producers could announce release dates without certification, Parasaran bluntly stated that no producer in the industry follows that practice.

He argued that announcing release dates well in advance is a standard industry norm driven by marketing schedules, theatrical bookings, international distribution agreements and festival calendars.

Parasaran further pointed out that “Jana Nayagan” has already been certified in 22 countries, reinforcing the idea that the film had cleared multiple regulatory benchmarks globally and was not some untested project rushing into theatres.

According to him, waiting for CBFC certification before announcing a release date is simply unrealistic in modern filmmaking economics.

Dhurandhar 2 Becomes the Unexpected Courtroom Star

The real twist came when Parasaran cited Aditya Dhar’s “Dhurandhar 2,” starring Ranveer Singh, as a concrete example.

He reminded the court that during the December release of the first Dhurandhar film, the makers had publicly announced that “Dhurandhar 2” will hit theatres on March 19 — long before any certification process could even begin.

If Bollywood films can freely announce release dates without certification, Parasaran argued, why should Jana Nayagan be singled out?

This comparison instantly grabbed industry attention, because it exposed what many producers quietly complain about — inconsistent enforcement and ambiguity in certification timelines.

Suddenly, a regional film’s certification dispute became a pan-Indian industry conversation.

Why Is Jana Nayagan Facing a Second High Court Hearing?

The legal saga of Jana Nayagan has moved at lightning speed.

January 5: Jana Nayagan producers approached the Madras High Court after receiving communication from the CBFC stating the film was being sent to a revising committee, which could take up to 20 days for certification.
January 7: The High Court reserved judgment.
January 9: A single judge directed the CBFC to grant certification.
Same day: The CBFC challenged the order in the High Court.
Producers approached the Supreme Court, seeking relief.
Supreme Court declined to intervene, directing them back to the High Court for the January 20 hearing.

Now, with arguments escalating and comparisons being made to Bollywood projects, the case has grown far beyond a routine certification dispute.

Industry Impact: Are Release Announcements Under Threat?

If the CBFC’s logic is upheld strictly, it could reshape how Indian cinema markets its films.

Currently, almost every major film — Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood or pan-India — announces release dates months or even years in advance, often during teaser launches, festival appearances or production announcements.

From Salman Khan’s Eid releases to Shah Rukh Khan’s Christmas slots, release dates are branding tools as much as scheduling markers.

A strict enforcement could:

Disrupt marketing pipelines
Affect overseas distribution deals
Increase financial uncertainty for producers
Slow down theatrical planning
Create confusion among exhibitors

Producers argue that certification should regulate content — not marketing timelines.

Vijay’s Star Power Adds Political Heat

Adding to the tension is the fact that Vijay is no longer just a superstar actor — he is now a political force in Tamil Nadu.

“Jana Nayagan” carries political undertones, making certification scrutiny more sensitive. Any delay or dispute immediately attracts political interpretations, fan outrage and media frenzy.

For Vijay’s massive fan base, the delay feels like unnecessary interference. For regulators, it’s about procedural integrity.

That collision makes every courtroom word headline-worthy.

What Happens Next?

With the order currently stayed, the High Court will continue hearing arguments before deciding whether the CBFC acted reasonably or overstepped its authority.

If the producers succeed, it could strengthen industry freedom around release announcements.

If the CBFC prevails, producers across India may need to rethink how early they lock release calendars.

Either way, the verdict could set a precedent affecting hundreds of future film releases.

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