SC Won’t Intervene in Jana Nayagan Case; Urges Quick High Court Ruling
SC Won’t Intervene in Jana Nayagan Case; Urges Quick High Court Ruling
SC declines to intervene in Jana Nayagan’s certification dispute, urging the Madras High Court to resolve quickly as producers warn of losses from delays.
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to interfere with a Madras High Court stay on the Jana Nayagan certification, noting that the matter is actively pending before a division bench and there is no occasion for the apex court to step in at this stage. The bench also urged the high court to attempt a final decision by January 20, after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi emphasized the urgency of the issue because the film is a ‘perishable commodity’ with substantial theatre bookings and promotional costs already incurred.
Rohatgi told the bench that more than 5,000 theatres had been booked for the film’s release and argued that delaying certification could cause irreparable commercial harm. He noted that it is a long-settled industry practice to announce release dates well before receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The dispute has taken on political overtones, with Vijay’s critics alleging political motivation behind the delays. Vijay himself has been critical of the DMK, while leaders from the Congress and the BJP have suggested politicized motives. The film’s release had originally been slated for January 9, amplifying the stakes for producers, exhibitors, and a devoted fan base as the case heads to a potential expedited hearing on January 20. While the Supreme Court kept the matter with the high court, industry observers are watching closely to see whether the delay can be cleared in time for the Tamil film’s release.
