10 January,2026 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vijay`s Jana Nayagan
Vijay's final film, Jana Nayagan, has been facing hurdles after being postponed indefinitely. The Madras High Court has imposed a stay on the film's release until the next hearing on January 21. Following the development, Venkat K Narayana, the founder of KVN productions has released the first statement since the controversy. The producer clarified the issue sharing their perspective on the whole situation.
Taking to their official social media handles, KVN Productions has uploaded a video clarifying the entire controversy. They said, "To everyone who has been waiting for our film Jana Nayagan with immense love and anticipation, we extend our sincere gratitude. Over the past few days, we have received countless calls and messages and each one reminds us how deeply this film is already love. We wish to place certain facts before you while respectfully acknowledging that the matter is currently subjoined which limits what we can and cannot say."
Sharing the sequence of events, they stated, "The film was submitted to CBFC on 18 December 2025 and was viewed by the examining committee. On December 22, 2025, we received an email stating that the film would be granted U/A 16+ certificate, subject to a few changes. We incorporated the changes and re-submitted the film, believing we were finally ready to share our work with you and release the film. However, a formal certificate was still awaited and follow-ups were being made for the same."
They further continued, "Then just few days before our planned release on 5th January 2026 evening, we were informed that film had been referred to the revising committee based on one complaint. With the time running out to approach the revised committee and without knowing who the complainant was, we approached the Honourable High Court. After hearing the matter on 6th and 7th of January 2026, the court directed this morning that U/A 16 plus certificate be issued. But CBFC challenged this decision immediately and the order to issue the certification is currently stayed and interim stay has been granted."
"We sincerely apologise to our audiences, distributors, exhibitors and all other stakeholders who stood by us during this difficult period. As you know, we made every possible effort to bring this film to the audience as planned, but these developments were beyond our control. This has been an extremely emotional and difficult moment for everyone who has poured their heart, soul and years of hard work into this film. Above all, we firmly believe that Thalapathy Vijay sir deserves the farewell that he has earned through decades of love from his fans and the respect from the industry. Your patience, belief and unwavering support gives us the strength. We have complete faith in the judicial process and remain hopeful that the film will reach the audience at the earliest. Thank you," the statement concluded.
The interim stay was granted by the bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan while hearing an appeal filed by the CBFC. The bench took up the matter for urgent hearing as requested by Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan, who appeared for the certification body.
The division bench noted that the single judge ought to have given the CBFC adequate time to file a counter affidavit before allowing the writ petition filed by the film's producer, KVN Productions LLP.
The bench also expressed disappointment over the claim of urgency, noting that the producers had proposed to release the film on January 9 without a certificate in hand. The Chief Justice remarked, "You cannot create a false state of emergency and put pressure on the court to pass orders. How can you go ahead with the screening of the movie without any certificate?"
