New Delhi: Thalapathy Vijay’s upcoming political drama Jana Nayagan has landed in trouble and may see a delay in its theatrical release. The film, which was earlier slated to hit cinemas on January 9, is currently stuck after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) withheld its certification.
Just a day after the makers of the Tamil film sought legal remedy to obtain the censor certificate, the Madras High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict, which is expected on the proposed release day, Friday, January 9.
The producers of Jana Nayagan told the court that they had adhered to the CBFC’s recommendations and were fully compliant with the suggested changes. However, the board reportedly held back the certification, delaying the dispatch of final prints to theatres. During Wednesday’s hearing, the Madras High Court questioned the CBFC over its decision to reopen the certification process for the film.
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
This delay has effectively led to the cancellation of all pre-10 am shows by default.
The court also stated that Jana Nayagan would now be reviewed by a newly constituted committee of the CBFC.
Will Jana Nayagan Face a Release Delay?
The delay in certification could significantly impact the film’s release, as clearance of the Tamil version is mandatory before approving the dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Meanwhile, ticket booking options for Jana Nayagan have reportedly been removed from BookMyShow in some cities following the latest developments in the censorship case.
The matter reached the High Court after the producers approached it over prolonged delays in securing certification, despite submitting the film over a month ago under the Tatkal process. During the hearing, Justice P.T. Asha examined the issue in detail, while the CBFC, represented by the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) defended its actions.
Notably, the board had already suggested certain alterations, including cuts and muted dialogues, on December 19.
Vijay’s Jana Nayagan Release Postponed
The makers of Jana Nayagan, KVN Productions, have officially announced the postponement of the film’s release.
pic.twitter.com/dRCsoOrnDp
— KVN Productions (@KvnProductions) January 7, 2026
In a statement shared on social media, the production house said, “It is with a heavy heart that we share this update with our valued stakeholders and audiences. The release of Jana Nayagan, eagerly awaited on January 9, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control. We deeply understand the anticipation, excitement and emotions surrounding this film, and this decision has not been an easy one for any of us (sic).”
The statement further read, “The new release date will be announced at the earliest. Until then, we humbly request your patience and continued love. Your unwavering support is our greatest strength and means everything to the entire Jana Nayagan team.”
Despite the uncertainty, advance bookings for Jana Nayagan remain strong. In Karnataka, first-day-first-show (FDFS) screenings starting as early as 6 am at single screens such as Gopalan Grand Mall, V Cinema, Sri Vinayaka, Cinephile HSR Layout, and Brundha RGB are already sold out on BookMyShow.
Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan stars Vijay alongside Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priyamani, and Narain.
