Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 15: The Supreme Court on Wednesday, January 15, dismissed a petition filed by the producer of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring actor-turned-politician Vijay, seeking immediate clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Augustine George Masih declined to entertain the plea, noting that the matter is already listed before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court on January 20.

The petition was filed by KVN Productions LLP challenging a Madras High Court Division Bench order that had stayed a Single Bench direction asking the CBFC to certify the film without delay. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the producer, argued that it is a long-established industry practice to announce film release dates prior to CBFC certification, adding that over 5,000 theatres had already been booked for the release.

Justice Datta, however, expressed concern over the speed with which the Single Bench had disposed of the matter. Remarking on the timeline, he said the case was filed on January 6 and decided the very next day, despite the matter being scheduled before the Division Bench on January 20. He observed that when an appeal is already pending, there was no need for the Supreme Court to step in at this stage.

The bench also pointed out that the CBFC chairperson’s order dated January 6, which referred the film to the Revising Committee, had not been specifically challenged. Rohatgi countered that the communication received on January 5, conveying the same decision, was under challenge, and the January 6 order was uploaded later. Justice Datta remarked that the writ petition should have been amended accordingly.

Rejecting the argument that the CBFC’s actions were mala fide, the bench advised the petitioner to pursue the matter before the High Court. “We are not inclined to interfere,” Justice Datta said, while dismissing the Special Leave Petition.

However, acceding to Rohatgi’s request, the Supreme Court observed that the Madras High Court Division Bench may endeavour to decide the appeal on January 20 itself.

Jana Nayagan, touted to be Vijay’s final film before his full-fledged entry into politics through his newly launched party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was announced as a Pongal release on January 9. The film ran into trouble after the CBFC chairperson referred it to the Revising Committee on January 6, despite the CBFC’s Chennai Regional Office Examining Committee having agreed to grant a U/A 16+ certificate, subject to certain edits.