The Madras High Court has reserved its order in the Jana Nayagan vs CBFC case after resuming hearings following a 10-day gap. The CBFC argued that the suggested cuts were only intermediary and that a final decision is yet to be taken by its chairperson
Vijay in Jana Nayagan
After over 10 days, the Madras High Court has resumed the hearing on the Jana Nayagan vs CBFC matter. The release of the film was stayed by a division bench on January 8, a day before the film’s initial release. The court resumed the hearing on Tuesday.
Madras HC reserves order
In yet another setback for director H Vinoth’s Thalapathy Vijay-starrer, a division bench of the Madras High Court, headed by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, reserved its order in the appeal filed by the CBFC.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the CBFC stated that the board’s chairperson is yet to make a decision on the film. It was also argued that the cuts sought for Jana Nayagan were “intermediary” and not final.
CBFC team argues cuts were intermediary step
Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan, representing the CBFC, laid down the facts of the case and the progress in the certification matter so far. He reiterated before the Chief Justice that communication about Jana Nayagan being sent to the revising committee was sent to the producers on January 6, despite previous communication suggesting that a decision had already been taken. He also stated that there was no time to file a counter before the matter was posted on January 7 in the previous High Court case heard by a single judge.
The Chief Justice was also informed that the decision to send the film to the revising committee came from the CBFC’s Mumbai office. The ASG further argued that the 14 cuts recommended to the makers were an intermediary step and not a final decision, adding that the board’s chairperson is yet to arrive at a conclusion on the film.
The makers had earlier claimed that Rs 500 crore was at stake and that it would be a major financial blow if the film was not released on the decided date. The ASG questioned this claim and also asked what factors were considered while deciding the release date in advance.
Wrapping up his arguments, the ASG stated that the CBFC was never given sufficient time to file a reply in the first High Court case and that the communication sent on January 6 was never challenged in court.
Jana Nayagan team argues film received certification outside India
On the other hand, the production team of Jana Nayagan argued that the film had received certification in 22 countries and pointed out that the makers of Dhurandhar had already announced a sequel. “In 22 countries, we have received approval. It’s not a practice to wait for certification to announce business. If you see Bollywood, they have already announced Dhurandhar 2,” the makers argued.
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