Vijay’s 'Jana Nayagan' faces censor board hurdle after overseas bookings hit $2.78 million

Highlights:

• CBFC orders a fresh review by a newly appointed committee
• Madras High Court hearing postponed to January 7
• Certification delay threatens pan-India and dubbed releases
• Advance bookings strong in southern states despite uncertainty
• Film marks Vijay’s final movie before entering politics

Thalapathy Vijay’s upcoming Tamil film Jana Nayagan has encountered a major obstacle just days before its scheduled January 9 release, after India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) informed the Madras High Court that the movie will be examined again by a newly appointed censor committee.

The unexpected move has raised uncertainty around the film’s release timeline, particularly its planned pan-India rollout. Certification of the Tamil original is mandatory before dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada can be cleared for release.

The producers approached the Madras High Court after Jana Nayagan failed to receive its censor certificate despite being submitted more than a month ago. The case, initially listed for hearing on Tuesday (6), was postponed to Wednesday (7) at 2:15 p.m., further narrowing the window for the film’s release preparations.

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During the hearing, CBFC representatives told the court that the film would undergo a fresh review by a new committee. The development came as a surprise to the production team, especially since the board had already suggested a list of cuts and muted dialogue on December 19, raising expectations that certification was imminent.

The delay is being viewed as a significant setback for the makers, given the scale of the release and the tight timelines involved. Any further hold-up could force a last-minute postponement, impacting distribution plans across multiple languages and regions.

Despite the uncertainty, audience enthusiasm appears undiminished. Bookings have opened in select southern markets and are reporting strong traction. In Karnataka, early morning first-day-first-show screenings at several single-screen theaters are already sold out, according to BookMyShow listings. Trade analysts also report healthy advance sales in Kerala, reflecting Vijay’s growing popularity in the state.

However, major metropolitan markets such as Mumbai and Delhi are yet to open bookings. Large multiplex chains, including PVR and INOX typically require final CBFC certification before allowing ticket sales, leaving those regions on hold for now.

Internationally, the film is showing strong momentum, with overseas advance bookings reportedly crossing $2.78 million, signaling high expectations among Vijay’s global fan base.

Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan carries added significance as Vijay’s final film before his planned transition into full-time politics. The ensemble cast includes Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priyamani, and Narain.

With the next court hearing just hours away, industry observers and fans alike are watching closely to see whether the new censor committee can complete its review in time—or whether Vijay’s cinematic swan song will face an eleventh-hour delay.